Spanish satellite operator Hisdesat has contracted Airbus to design, assemble, and test two PAZ-2 radar satellites for the Spanish Ministry of Defence.
The spacecraft will succeed the original PAZ satellite, in service since 2018.
Each system is expected to capture high-resolution images at up to 25 centimeters (9.8 inches), cover up to 6.7 million square kilometers (2.6 million square miles) daily, and complete 16 Earth orbits per day. They will operate 24/7 in all weather conditions.
Work will take place at Airbus’s facility in Getafe, Spain. The first PAZ-2 satellite is slated to enter service by mid-2031.
With its expertise in high resolution and large area coverage synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, Airbus will lead a consortium of more than 15 Spanish companies in developing the satellites, which are expected to have 65 percent domestically made content.
The program is expected to boost the Spanish Armed Forces’ intelligence and surveillance missions, as well as enhance border security, risk management, and civilian infrastructure monitoring.
“In the current geopolitical context, with the PAZ-2 satellites, Airbus reaffirms its commitment to strengthening technological sovereignty in security and defence, as well as its leadership in the national and European space sector,” said Alain Fauré, Head of Airbus Space Systems.
