In a statement released on Friday, January 2nd, Indra Group announced that the SpainSat NG II satellite had been struck by a “space particle” at an altitude of approximately 50,000 kilometers while on its way to geostationary Earth orbit.

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The satellite, owned by Hisdesat and insured for approximately $400 million, was to be the second of 2 satellites in the SpainSat NG program. Launched on a Falcon 9 rocket on October 23rd, 2025 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the spacecraft is equipped with reconfigurable, encrypted X-band and steerable military Ka-band antennas, and is designed to provide secure communications to the Spanish Ministry of Defense, NATO allies and other government agencies across Europe.

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While the exact details of potential trajectory deviations and fuel loss have not been disclosed, Hisdesat, Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space are reviewing available data to assess the extent of the damage sustained by the impact. Indra Group also indicated that should the spacecraft be deemed irrecoverable, it is prepared to commission the construction of SpainSat NG III as a replacement.

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