Spazio

January 18, 2026, 11:32 AM EST. Hisdesat says SpainSat NG II, built by Airbus, sustained non-recoverable damage after impact from a high-velocity space particle. An RFQ is issued for a replacement, SpainSat NG III. NG II was launched on a Falcon 9 rocket in October 2025 and provides secure military communications for Spain, in a highly eccentric orbit that isn't expected to threaten other missions. The company says the incident is fully insured and will not damage its balance sheet, though large claims can raise future premiums. Invest in Spain values the overall NG program at about €2 billion. Airbus won the contract to build the first two satellites in 2019; NG I launched January 2025. A replacement could arrive around 2030, while NG I and the legacy SpainSat continue to serve.