Spanish satellite firm Hisdesat has tapped Airbus and Thales Alenia Space for a new government communications satellite after its predecessor was taken out by space debris during launch.
Hisdesat, a part of Indra Group, has signed a formal industrial contract with Airbus and Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales and Leonardo, to build the SpainSat NG III military communications satellite for the Spanish Armed Forces and its NATO allies under the GOVSATCOM initiative.
– Hisdesat
The satellite will follow the 6,100kg (13,450lb) Airbus-built SpainSat NG II, which was reported “non-recoverable” during the latter phases of its launch, when it was struck by a “space particle” impact at 50,000km during orbit-raising.
“In today’s complex geopolitical landscape, SpainSat NG-III reinforces Spanish and European strategic autonomy by securing mission-critical communications for Spain, NATO, and our allied forces,” said Alain Fauré, head of space systems at Airbus Defence and Space, in a statement.
