Two operational X-band/Ka-band military communications satellites providing secure, jam-resistant coverage over the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Middle East — 15-year design life.
SpainSat / XTAR-EUR Secure Communications Satellites
Two operational X-band/Ka-band military communications satellites providing secure, jam-resistant coverage over the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Middle East — 15-year design life.
Description
SpainSat, launched March 2006 into the 30°W slot, and XTAR-EUR, launched February 2005 into the 29°E slot, are secure government/military communications satellites built on the Space Systems/Loral LS-1300 bus with 3-axis stabilization. Combined, SS/L-built satellites of this class have accumulated over 1,100 years of service heritage. Each has a 15-year design life with a mix of fixed and steerable high-power beams for flexible secure communications; SpainSat carries transponders in X-band and Ka-band. Two control and tracking stations are located at Arganda (Madrid) and Maspalomas (Canary Islands). These satellites will be replaced by the SPAINSAT NG I/II program.
Specifications
| SpainSat launch mass | >3,700 kg |
|---|---|
| XTAR-EUR launch mass | >3,600 kg |
| Bandwidth per satellite | 1,000 MHz (dual polarization) |
| Design life | 15 years |
| SpainSat orbital position | 30°W |
| XTAR-EUR orbital position | 29°E |
| Program investment | €223 million |