Universidad
Politécnica de Madrid

07.03.2025

The satellite SpainSat, which successfully took off last January from Cape Canaveral (Florida, USA) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, has proved the ability of Spanish companies to develop technologies that guarantee greater security in communications. Specifically, SpainSat will position Spain among the most advanced countries in Europe with strategic operational capabilities since "it will be armour-plate against radiation to be protected from a possible nuclear explosion.", says Elena Roibás, professor at the School of Aeronautics and Space Engineering of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.

This researcher from the Instituto de Microgravedad “Ignacio Da Riva”and director of the UPMSat program, also explains that “this launch has been a milestone in the Spanish space industry. Although Spain has launched satellites on other occasions, SpainSat demonstrates that the industrial network of our country allows large-scale developments through public-private collaboration. The communications system carried out by this satellite is among the most advanced in the world,” she points out.

For the UPM professor, the importance of this launch consists, precisely, in the technical capacity of Spain to provide a security satellite communications system - both in national territory and abroad - to the Armed Forces, NATO, the European Commission and other allied countries. "And with the most advanced communications satellite in Europe," emphasizes Roibás, who also highlights that "it will provide more strategic autonomy to Spain not depending on third parties, improving the security of military communications and allowing the geolocation of signals from the ground with exceptional precision." In this sense, there are only four other countries in the world (United States, France, Italy and the United Kingdom) capable of carrying out secure communications, meeting NATO's strict security standards.

SpainSat will orbit at 36,000 km altitude with antennas equivalent to 16 traditional ones

This geostationary satellite, which has a mass of 6 tons and dimensions of about 7 meters high by more than 2.5 meters wide, will orbit the Earth at an altitude of 36,000 km.The most important innovation introduced is the active transmission and reception antennas that offer functionality equivalent to 16 traditional ones. Developed by Airbus DS in Madrid, this antenna can electronically reorient its beams depending on needs and allows multiple interferences to be geolocated with great precision. In addition, it includes two other frequency bands and a digital processor.

Involvement of the UPM in SpainSat: “Most of professionals have studied at this university”

The Universidad Politécnica de Madrid is the reference center for the training of engineers in Spain. “We have trained engineers since it was inaugurated in 1971, integrating what were the Higher Technical Schools, some of them centuries old, ”indicates Roibás. Specifically, the School of Aeronautics and Space Engineering will celebrate its centenary in 2028. Although the UPM has not actively participated in the developments, “our collaboration with the companies involved is constant. Most of the professionals who work in those companies studied at the former School of Aeronautics and Space Engineering, she adds.

More strategic autonomy for Spain, shielded from radiation

Regarding the advancements of this satellite launch with Spanish seal, she says that the main objective for Spain is to enter the space elite, "position itself as a leader in the development of satellite technologies meeting the demanding requirements of NATO for Alliance communications." This is crucial, as it positions Spain among the most advanced countries, providing strategic operational capabilities. In addition, it has a complex communications system that operates in three frequency bands, simultaneously guaranteeing practically global coverage and greater security since it has anti-interference technologies and is shielded from radiation.