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Airbus, Thales Win SpainSat Replacement Order

August 7, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Airbus and Thales win order for SpainSat NG 3.
Satellite to provide communications services for Spanish military and allies.
Launch scheduled for Q3 2030, service entry in early 2031.
SpainSat NG 3 includes technological enhancements over predecessors.

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Strategic Implications

This order may indicate a growing demand for secure military communications in Europe. The partnership between Airbus and Thales suggests a strengthening of European space industry cooperation, which could lead to increased competitiveness in the global market. The technological enhancements in SpainSat NG 3 may also set a new standard for military communications satellites.

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What Happened

European Companies Partner On Military Communications Satellite

Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space have been selected to build a replacement military communications satellite for Spain, known as SpainSat NG 3. The satellite will provide communications services for the Spanish military and its allies, and is scheduled to launch in the third quarter of 2030. SpainSat NG 3 will include technological enhancements over its predecessors, providing greater operational agility and protection against jamming and electronic threats. The order was announced by Airbus, with Thales Alenia Space responsible for building the UHF and military Ka-band payloads. This development was first reported by SpaceNews.

Source | Originally Published: July 31, 2026

Companies Mentioned