Contract Signed for the Manufacture of the “Paz” Satellite

The Minister of Defense, Carme Chacn, today presided over the ceremony for the signature of the contract for the development and manufacture of the Paz radar observation satellite between Hisdesat, operator and proprietor of the satellite, and EADS CASA Space, its manufacturer.>> The launch of this new satellite project, which will require a total investment of about 160 million euros, of which the Ministry of Defense will contribute 135 million euros, is included in the National Program of Earth Observation by Satellite (PNOT).>> After the signature of the contract, carried out at the Instituto Nacional de Tcnica Aeroespacial (INTA), the minister of defense stressed that thanks to the National Program of Earth Observation by Satellite, Spain will be the first European country in having a dual system of satellites, with both radar and optical technology. She also emphasized that with this program Spanish industry will obtain returns about 70 million euros, allowing participating companies to acquire new capabilities that will improve their competitiveness in the global space market.>> In her speech, Chacn recalled that Spain is leading the fight against the piracy against the Somali coast and, in this respect underlined the importance that this type of technology can have to protect to Spanish fishing boats and ships used by the World Food Program in the Indian Ocean.>> Thanks to radar observation technology, we will be able to obtain images of the position of pirate boats; we will be able to know their armament, routes, food supply points and the location of our ships and aircraft, she said. The minister also added that this technology is also very important to fight against other crimes, related to the drug trafficking or the illegal immigration, as well as to improve the control of natural resources, to counteract the effects of climate change or pollution, to contribute to the planning of infrastructures, or to react to natural catastrophes and wildfires. It is, therefore, an excellent example of dual technology with civilian and military applications, she concluded.