The destiny of Spain’s latest communications satellite tv for pc is up within the air.
SpainSat NG-2 was the second navy communications satellite tv for pc launched for Spain final 12 months. It was on its solution to an operational location in geostationary orbit when it was struck by a “area particle,” based on a Jan. 2 assertion from Indra Group, the bulk stakeholder of Hisdesat, which owns and operates the SpainSat NG-2 satellite tv for pc on behalf of Spain’s Ministry of Protection.
SpainSat NG-1 additionally launched on a Falcon 9, heading to orbit final January. The Airbus-built 2-billion-euro ($2.3 billion USD) pair of satellites was designed as an “superior authorities communications system in Europe,” based on Airbus. Since its launch in October, SpainSat NG-2 has been slowly making its method towards geostationary orbit, however its standing because the collision stays unknown.
In line with Indra Group, the area particle influence occurred at about 31,000 miles (50,000 kilometers) in altitude. That is larger than geostationary orbit, which lies 22,236 miles (35,786 km) above Earth.
“Hisdesat applied a contingency plan to make sure that the Ministry of Protection and different purchasers should not affected,” Indra Group stated within the assertion.
“The technical staff is analyzing the obtainable knowledge to find out the extent of the harm,” the assertion continued. “If mandatory, SpainSat NG-2 will probably be changed as quickly as potential.”
