A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the SpainSat NG-1 satellite into geostationary orbit from Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39A on Wednesday night, marking a significant milestone for the Spanish telecommunications company Hisdesat.
The launch, which took place at 8:34 p.m., was carried out with precision and went smoothly. The second-stage booster broke away 31 minutes after liftoff, deploying the satellite into its intended orbit.
The SpainSat NG-1 is the first of two satellites designed to provide a sovereign communications capability for government missions in Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Built by Airbus on the Eurostar Neo platform under the European Space Agency’s Partnership projects, it features advanced antennas that enable artificial intelligence, big data, and an internet of things.
The satellite includes beam hoping and geolocation capabilities, making it one of the most advanced satellites in Europe today. Hisdesat expects the SpainSat NG-1 to have a 15-year lifespan.
This launch marks a notable milestone for SpaceX, which used its Falcon 9 rocket for its 21st and final flight. The booster was already well-traveled, having completed previous missions including Starlink and SES-22.
Source: https://eu.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/spacex/2025/01/29/spacex-falcon-9-launch-from-kennedy-space-center-delivers-spainsat-to-orbit/77980504007