{"id":9925,"date":"2025-01-29T23:12:15","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T15:12:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/spacex-launches-spainsat-new-generation-1-satellite-on-falcon-9-rocket-from-the-kennedy-space-center\/"},"modified":"2025-01-29T23:12:15","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T15:12:15","slug":"spacex-launches-spainsat-new-generation-1-satellite-on-falcon-9-rocket-from-the-kennedy-space-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/spacex-launches-spainsat-new-generation-1-satellite-on-falcon-9-rocket-from-the-kennedy-space-center\/","title":{"rendered":"SpaceX launches SpainSat New Generation 1 satellite on Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_68600\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-68600\" style=\"width: 876px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-68600\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_SpainSat_NG-1_rendering_small.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"876\" height=\"492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_SpainSat_NG-1_rendering_small.jpeg 876w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_SpainSat_NG-1_rendering_small-300x168.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_SpainSat_NG-1_rendering_small-678x381.jpeg 678w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_SpainSat_NG-1_rendering_small-768x431.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 876px) 100vw, 876px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-68600\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A artist\u2019s rendering of the SpainSat New Generation 1 satellite. Graphic: Airbus Defense and Space<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>SpaceX launched a secure communications satellite on behalf of Hisdesat, a Spanish communications company, from NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center Wednesday night.<\/p>\n<p>The SpainSat New Generation 1 (SNG 1) satellite is supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and manufactured by Airbus Defense and Space. Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A happened at 8:34 p.m. EST (0134 UTC), the opening of a two-hour window.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uPeVSqgCBn4?si=HeIh7X1omjLsLiWe\" width=\"678\" height=\"381\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The 45th Weather Squadron forecast pretty idiic conditions for liftoff on Wednesday night, forecasting a 95 percent chance of acceptable weather with just thick clouds presenting a possible obstruction.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOverall, launch weather conditions look favorable as ridging aloft and an area of high pressure at the surface move over the Florida peninsula [Wednesday],\u201d launch weather officers wrote. \u201cThe only watch item is jet-induced cirrostratus clouds streaming into the area, which introduces a small risk of a Thick Cloud Layers Rule violation if the bases are low enough.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The mission was the 430th Falcon 9 launch to date. SpaceX said because the SNG 1 satellite required \u201cadditional performance\u201d from the Falcon 9 rocket to send it to a geosynchronous transfer orbit, it did not recover the first stage booster, tail number B1073.<\/p>\n<p>Because of this, the booster lacked both grid fins for recovery steering and stability as well as landing legs. The last time SpaceX flew an expendable Falcon 9 rocket was on Oct. 7, 2024, when it launched the Hera spacecraft for ESA to begin its journey to the Didymos binary asteroid system.<\/p>\n<p>The SNG 1 mission was the 21st flight of B1073. SpaceX previously used it to launch ispace\u2019s Hakuto-R Mission1, CRS-27 and 13 Starlink missions.<\/p>\n<p>Expending B1073 still leaves SpaceX with 17 flight proven boosters in its lineup. B1067 is its most flown booster having completed 25 missions to date as the company works to certify its boosters for up to 40 flights each.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_68601\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-68601\" style=\"width: 876px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-68601\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_Spain_Sat_Ng1_mission_patch_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"876\" height=\"876\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_Spain_Sat_Ng1_mission_patch_small.jpg 876w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_Spain_Sat_Ng1_mission_patch_small-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_Spain_Sat_Ng1_mission_patch_small-678x678.jpg 678w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_Spain_Sat_Ng1_mission_patch_small-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_Spain_Sat_Ng1_mission_patch_small-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 876px) 100vw, 876px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-68601\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A rendering of the SpainSat New Generation 1 satellite mission. Graphic: SpaceX<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4>Bolstering secure communications<\/h4>\n<p>The SNG 1 satellite is the first of two for the SpainSat NG Program and will operate in geostationary Earth orbit at the 30 degrees West position. SNG 2 will work in the 29 degrees East position when it launches.<\/p>\n<p>Together, they are designed to provide \u201ceffective command and control in operations of the Armed Forces beyond the line of sight in two-thirds of the Earth,\u201d according to Hisdesat. Their coverage area extends from the United States and South America to the Middle East and Europe and out to Singapore.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSpainSat NG represents the next generation of secure satellite communications in Europe,\u201d said Laurent Jaffart, ESA\u2019s Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications, in a statement. \u201cThis launch marks a key milestone in providing more adaptable and secure communications services that will benefit governmental users across Europe and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Each satellite weighs about 6.1 tonnes (~13,448 lbs.) and stands 7.2-meters-tall (23.6 ft.). They are built on Airbus\u2019 Eurostar Neo satellite bus and passed a critical design review in December 2021.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_68603\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-68603\" style=\"width: 876px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-68603\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_SpainSat_NG1_packing_in_Toulouse_France_on_7_January_2025_Shipment_to_Cape_Canaveral_for_launch.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"876\" height=\"584\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_SpainSat_NG1_packing_in_Toulouse_France_on_7_January_2025_Shipment_to_Cape_Canaveral_for_launch.jpeg 876w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_SpainSat_NG1_packing_in_Toulouse_France_on_7_January_2025_Shipment_to_Cape_Canaveral_for_launch-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_SpainSat_NG1_packing_in_Toulouse_France_on_7_January_2025_Shipment_to_Cape_Canaveral_for_launch-678x452.jpeg 678w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_SpainSat_NG1_packing_in_Toulouse_France_on_7_January_2025_Shipment_to_Cape_Canaveral_for_launch-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 876px) 100vw, 876px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-68603\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Weighing 6.1 tonnes and standing 7.2 m tall, the new satellite carries special equipment that protects it from interference and ensures that communications remain private and secure. The satellite\u2019s advanced antenna system can adjust its coverage in real time, optimising bandwidth allocation depending on user demand and environmental conditions. Image: Airbus SAS 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Designed for secure military communications, the satellites feature what Airbus calls \u201ccutting-edge direct radiating array (DRA) system[, which] also incorporates advanced features such as the ability to switch between different coverage zones thousands of times per second, the capability to adapt the coverage zones to reduce unwelcomed signals and the ability to locate terrestrial emitters of known or unknown origin with high accuracy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The antennas come from a series of Spanish space industry partners and were coordinated through ESA\u2019s Pacis 3 project. The include \u201creconfigurable transmit and receive X-band active antennas, and the deployable pallet with individually steerable Ka-band antennas,\u201d according to Airbus.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe X-band active antennas are the most challenging active antennas that have ever been developed in Europe, positioning Hisdesat and the Spanish space industry at the edge of the space technology in active antennas meaning higher competitiveness in the global market,\u201d said Miguel \u00c1ngel Garc\u00eda Primo, Hisdesat\u2019s CEO.<\/p>\n<p>The satellites are each designed to have a 15-year operating lifespan, barring technical issues.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_68602\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-68602\" style=\"width: 636px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-68602\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_SNG-1_antenna_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"484\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_SNG-1_antenna_small.jpg 636w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_SNG-1_antenna_small-300x228.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250129_SNG-1_antenna_small-80x60.jpg 80w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-68602\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">At the heart of the spacecraft is the state-of-the-art transmit and receive active antenna system built by Airbus Defence and Space in Spain, which is a fundamental component of the satellites\u2019 mission. Image: Airbus SAS 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A artist\u2019s rendering of the SpainSat New Generation 1 satellite. Graphic: Airbus Defense and Space SpaceX launched a secure communications satellite on behalf of Hisdesat, a Spanish communications company, from NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center Wednesday night. The SpainSat New Generation 1 (SNG 1) satellite is supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and manufactured by [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9925","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9925"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9925"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9925\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9925"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9925"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9925"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}