Damage unclear: "Space particle" damages Spanish military satellite
A state-of-the-art new communication satellite for the Spanish military has collided with a "space particle" in orbit and may need to be replaced.
(Image: NicoElNino/Shutterstock.com)
A new communication satellite for the Spanish military may be so severely damaged after an unspecified “collision” in Earth orbit that it needs to be replaced. This was announced by the Spanish IT and defense group Indra on behalf of the operator Hisdesat. According to the statement, SpainSat NG II was hit by a “space particle” approximately 50,000 km above Earth while en route to its operational orbit. An emergency plan has been activated to ensure that the Spanish Ministry of Defense and other customers are not affected. Meanwhile, the extent of the damage is being analyzed, and if necessary, the satellite would be replaced “as soon as possible”.
Key questions unanswered
Beyond the sparse information from Indra, there are no further details so far. Given the altitude at which “the impact” occurred, it is unlikely that the “partĂcula espacial” (“space particle”) was a piece of space debris, which mainly orbits at altitudes below 1000 km. A micrometeoroid hitting the satellite at high speed is also conceivable. Finally, it could have been a charged elementary particle that struck the sensitive electronics. While satellites are protected against such dangers, complete safety is not guaranteed.
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SpainSat NG II was launched into space on October 23, 2025, by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. As the name suggests, it is the second satellite of the mission of the same name. It is intended to provide secure communication capabilities for the Spanish military and to replace the communication satellite SpainSat. Its twin satellite, SpainSat NG I, has been in operation since August 2025. According to the Spanish Ministry of Defense, the two cost more than two billion euros and are equipped with the most advanced technology, “including the most advanced active antennas from Europe.” From a geostationary orbit, the 6-ton devices are intended to cover the area “between Denver and Singapore.” The mission is designed for more than 15 years.
(mho)
