SpainSat-1 (XTAR-LANT) – Secure Military Communications Satellite at 30° West

SpainSat-1, also known as XTAR-LANT, is a geostationary telecommunications satellite operated by Hisdesat, providing secure military and government communications for Spain and allied nations. Positioned at 30° West longitude, SpainSat-1 supports a wide range of missions, including military operations, humanitarian efforts, embassy services, and secure government communications.

Mission and Coverage

SpainSat-1 delivers secure communications for the Spanish Armed Forces and international defense partners, covering an extensive footprint from the United States and South America to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The satellite supports voice, video, and data transmission for strategic and tactical operations in remote and challenging environments.

Technical Overview

• Operator: Hisdesat Servicios Estratégicos S.A.

• Manufactured by: Space Systems Loral (California, USA)

• Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5 ECA

• Launch Date: March 11, 2006

• Launch Site: Guiana Space Centre, Kourou, French Guiana

• Orbital Position: 30° West (Geostationary orbit ~36,000 km altitude)

• Mass at Launch: Approximately 3,700 kg

• Expected Lifetime: 15+ years

• Transponders: 12 X-band, 1 Ka-band (military Ka)

• Coverage: Europe, Africa, the Americas, and parts of the Middle East

XTAR-LANT and Strategic Partnerships

SpainSat-1 features 13 high-power transponders, specifically configured for secure and resilient communications:

• 5 X-band transponders leased to the Spanish Ministry of Defense.

• 8 X-band transponders, operated under the XTAR-LANT designation, leased to XTAR, a joint venture supporting US military and allied government customers.

Hisdesat and SpainSat Program

Hisdesat Servicios Estratégicos S.A. is a Spanish government-backed satellite operator founded in 2001 to provide secure communications for defense, intelligence, and institutional purposes. The company’s shareholders include:

• Hispasat (43%)

• Ingeniería y Servicios Aeroespaciales (30%)

• Airbus Defence and Space (15%)

• Indra Espacio (7%)

• Sener (5%)

SpainSat-1 was developed with an estimated investment of €415 million, and complements Hisdesat’s satellite fleet which also includes Xtar-Eur and the SpainSat NG next-generation program.

Applications and Use Cases

• Military communications for land, sea, and air operations

• Embassy and government communications

• Humanitarian aid coordination

• Secure image and intelligence data transmission

• Interoperability with NATO and allied defense systems