Hispasat 36W-1 is based on the geostationary platform SmallGEO, Europe’s response to the market demand for more flexible and modular telecommunications platforms developed as part of the ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) program of the European Space Agency (ESA).

As well as the new platform’s maiden mission, the satellite also features the innovative RedSAT regenerative payload along with an antenna equipped with a processor that allows onboard beam reconfiguration. These upgrades improve signal quality and flexibility and allow the satellite to offer better telecommunications services.

The 240-millon-euro project has been funded by Spain’s Industrial Technology Development Center (Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial: CDTI) and involves a major participation by Spain’s satellite industry. GMV has provided the flight dynamics system, developed from the focusGEO product and used as a benchmark for the orbital operations of the rest of Hispasat’s fleet; the satellite control and monitoring system using the hifly® product, GMV’s commercial solution for real-time satellite management; plus the payload management system, based on smartrings and management of the onboard antenna pointing system, by means of smartbeams.