Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) is to build two satellites to provide leased transponders and network communications services to the Spanish ministry of defence. The system will also supply services to government agencies in the USA, Spain and elsewhere. SpainSat is to provide dedicated X-band and Ka-band services to the Spanish Government from 2003, and will be positioned at 30°W in geostationary orbit. Meanwhile, a co-orbiting XTAR-EUR satellite will offer leased X-band transponder services to government customers and provide a back-up service for SpainSat, starting in 2004.
Source: Flight International
