Airbus Defense and Space has signed a contract with Hisdesat for the development and production of two new generation PAZ-2 radar satellites for the Spanish Ministry of Defense. The project is aimed at ensuring continuity of work after the first PAZ satellite, which functions with 2018 year, as well as to significantly strengthen Spain's national space capabilities.
The PAZ-2 system will have significant technological improvements compared to its predecessor, in particular resolution up to 25 centimeters and extended daily coverage to 6,7 million square kilometers per satellite. Each satellite will carry out 16 revolutions around the Earth per day, providing radar imagery 24/7 in all weather conditions. These improvements will enhance performance as a military, and civil tasks, including risk assessment, infrastructure supervision, border control and monitoring of natural disasters.
Satellites will be developed, assembled and tested at the Airbus plant in Getafe. The company will lead the national consortium, which includes over 15 Spanish companies, about 65% satellite components will be manufactured in Spain. This underlines the strategic importance of the program for the Spanish space industry.
The first PAZ-2 satellite is planned to be launched in the middle 2031 year. This project continues the successful collaboration between Hisdesat and Airbus in the creation of advanced X-band radar technologies, strengthening Spain's Earth observation capabilities and enhancing Europe's security resilience.