Sener strengthens Spain’s technological sovereignty in secure communications with its participation in SpainSat NG II

The engineering and technology group Sener has been involved in SpainSat NG II, the second satellite in Hisdesat’s secure communications programme, scheduled for launch on 22 October from Cape Canaveral, United States. This milestone will complete the SpainSat NG constellation, following the successful launch and commissioning of its twin satellite, SpainSat NG I, last January, on which Sener also worked.

SpainSat NG II, identical to its predecessor (already successfully operating in orbit), will provide secure and reliable communications for the Spanish Armed Forces, strengthening the nation’s technological and strategic capability in space. The satellite will incorporate advanced technologies to protect against jamming and spoofing attempts and will be shielded against high-altitude nuclear events.

Sener was responsible for the design, manufacture and testing of critical components for SpainSat NG II, replicating its successful contribution to the first satellite in the series:

• Sener designed, manufactured and tested over one hundred complete chains for both the active transmit antenna and the X-band receive antenna. Each chain integrates a radiating front end with a DSSPA (dual solid-state power amplifier) for the transmit antenna or a DLNA (dual low-noise amplifier) for the receive antenna.
• In addition, Sener supplied six mechanically steerable reflector systems for the Ka-band communications payload, mounted on a deployable panel, with three types of antenna and an angular movement system for each reflector. These reflectors are fed by radiating chains, also provided by Sener, including a horn, polariser and waveguides for signal distribution.
• Furthermore, for each satellite, Sener delivered the telemetry and telecommand antennas: a pair of S-band hemispherical antennas and a global coverage antenna with dual polarisations and integrated transmit-and-receive functionality.
• Finally, Sener played an active role in the satellite’s UHF payload, developing the three-channel OMUX, which filters and combines the outputs of the corresponding amplifiers before feeding the satellite’s UHF antenna. Handling high power at this frequency for space applications made the design of this unit a first-class challenge.

Once in orbit, SpainSat NG II will operate alongside SpainSat NG I to provide extended coverage spanning from the United States and South America to the Middle East, including Africa, Europe and reaching as far as Singapore. With an operational lifetime of 15 years, both satellites will ensure the continuity of Spain’s military and governmental communications.

“With the imminent launch of SpainSat NG II, we complete our involvement in one of the most advanced satellite programmes in the world”, said Diego Rodríguez, Space and Science Director at Sener.“The operational success of SpainSat NG I since its launch in January validates our technological solutions and reinforces our commitment to Spain’s technological sovereignty in space”.

Proven track record in the space sector

Sener has a well-established history in satellite communications, having supplied antennas and radiofrequency equipment—both active and passive—to leading satellite manufacturers and space agencies for applications in navigation, telecommunications, exploration and Earth observation. The company has delivered over 10,000 units of equipment and subsystems, which have flown on 1,400 satellites in LEO, GEO and MEO orbits, as well as on launchers.

Sener’s involvement in the SpainSat NG programme further consolidates its role as a strategic partner in defence space programmes and demonstrates the capability of Spanish industry to develop cutting-edge space technology.