- Hisdesat selected Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space to develop the SpainSat NG III secure communications satellite
- The satellite is scheduled for launch in the third quarter of 2030 and will enter service in early 2031, completing the SPAINSAT NG architecture.
- SpainSat NG III will expand secure military communications capacity while strengthening Spain’s strategic autonomy and supporting NATO, EU GOVSATCOM and allied government users
Hisdesat has awarded a contract to Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space to build SpainSat NG III, a next-generation secure communications satellite designed to strengthen Spain’s military satellite architecture.
What Roles Will Airbus and Thales Alenia Space Play?
Hisdesat selected Airbus Defence and Space as the prime contractor for SpainSat NG III, building on the company’s experience developing previous satellites within the SPAINSAT NG family.
Airbus’ Spanish operations will be responsible for developing the X-band payload, while Thales Alenia Space, which will serve as co-contractor, will integrate the satellite’s communications module in Spain. The latter will also develop the UHF and military Ka-band payloads.
Development of the satellite is expected to take approximately 48 months. SpainSat NG III is scheduled for launch during the third quarter of 2030 and is expected to become operational in early 2031.
How Will Spanish Industry Benefit?
In addition to Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space, more than 10 Spanish companies are expected to contribute critical technologies for the satellite and its supporting systems.
According to Hisdesat, the program would generate highly skilled employment while delivering technological benefits to Spain’s industrial and defense sectors.
By continuing the SPAINSAT NG Programme, Hisdesat aims to ensure the availability of strategic satellite communications services for Spain and its allies while reinforcing the international reputation of the Spanish space industry as a provider of advanced secure communications systems.
How Will SpainSat NG III Expand the SPAINSAT NG Programme?
The satellite would replicate the proven architecture of earlier SPAINSAT NG spacecraft while incorporating several technological enhancements designed to improve operational flexibility, increase communications capacity and strengthen resilience against interference and threats.
It would support secure communications across X-band, military Ka-band and UHF frequencies, while extending coverage from the United States and South America to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Together with SpainSat NG I, the overall constellation would provide coverage reaching Singapore in Asia.
What Is the Current Status of SpainSat NG I and II?
SpainSat NG III builds on the foundation established by the first two satellites in the SPAINSAT NG program. SpainSat NG I was successfully launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in January 2025 to provide secure communications for the Spanish Armed Forces. Built by Airbus Defence and Space as prime contractor, the satellite features advanced X-, military Ka- and UHF-band communications capabilities. It delivers roughly 10 times the communications capacity of the previous-generation system.
SpainSat NG II, the program’s twin satellite, was developed by Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space, with the latter responsible for integrating the communications module and developing the military Ka-band and UHF payloads at its facilities in Tres Cantos, Spain. The satellite was successfully launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in October 2025.
