Launch of the SpainSat NG III Satellite Cleared
Hisdesat Initiates Request for Proposals with Spain’s Ministry of Defense
The Request for Proposals (RFQ) process for the SpainSat NG III satellite has been initiated by Hisdesat and the Spanish Ministry of Defense. The RFQ was made necessary following confirmation of the damage caused to SpainSat II by a collision with a small particle of indeterminate origin. That damage will prevent the SpainSat II from completing its mission.
Hisdesat has implemented this measure after analyzing the latest reports by the main contractor of the SpainSat NG II satellite. Although the space particle that collided with the satellite was estimated to be millimetric in size and weigh only a few grams, the high speed of the impact on a vital area of the satellite caused non-recoverable damage.
The satellite is stable, complete and in a highly eccentric orbit, in such a way that it won’t interfere with any present or future space operations, and its loss won’t cause any economic harm, as it’s insured against this kind of damage.
Until SpainSat NG III enters into operation, the services will be guaranteed through SpainSat NG I (from 29ºE) and SpainSat (from 30ºW).
Hisdesat remains committed to the strategic goals of the SpainSat NG program and the provision of the planned services.