This article is based on an official press release from Airbus.

Airbus and Hisdesat Secure Commercial Future for High-Resolution PAZ 2 Radar Constellation

On January 28, 2026, Airbus Defence and Space and Hisdesat, the Spanish government satellite operator, formalized a major commercialization agreement regarding the PAZ 2 Earth observation program. Signed at the European Space Conference in Brussels, this deal cements a long-term partnerships designed to bring next-generation Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery to the global market.

According to the official announcement, the agreement grants Airbus the rights to co-commercialize data from the upcoming PAZ 2 constellation. This program represents a significant technological evolution from the original PAZ satellite, promising ultra-high-resolution capabilities that target elite defense, intelligence, and infrastructure monitoring sectors. The collaboration builds upon a relationship established in 2018, ensuring continuity for current users while preparing the market for a drastic increase in imaging fidelity.

The PAZ 2 program, which includes two satellites, is scheduled to begin service by mid-2031. While Hisdesat retains capacity for Spanish governmental use, Airbus will leverage its international sales network to distribute surplus capacity to military and commercial clients worldwide.

Technological Leap: 10 cm Resolution

The transition from the current PAZ satellite to the PAZ 2 constellation involves a substantial upgrade in technical specifications. The press release and technical data indicate that the new system will offer a resolution of up to 10 cm, a marked improvement over the previous 25 cm capability. This level of detail allows for the precise identification of smaller objects, vehicle types, and infrastructure damage, regardless of weather conditions or time of day.

In addition to resolution, the constellation approach doubles the revisit capacity compared to the single-satellite PAZ 1 mission. The new satellites are designed to cover approximately 6.7 million square kilometers per satellite daily, a more than 20-fold increase in area coverage compared to the legacy system. The system also boasts a swath width of up to 500 km and near real-time latency capabilities, reducing data delivery times to as little as five minutes for critical tactical operations.

“This partnership aims to push the boundaries of SAR-based Earth observation and provide innovative solutions to meet growing global demand for both military and commercial markets.”

, Eric Even, Head of Space Digital at Airbus Defence and Space

Strategic Context and Dual-Use Mission

The PAZ 2 program is a central pillar of Spain’s national space strategy, supported by a loan of approximately €1 billion from the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism. The system is designed for dual-use applications, serving both the Spanish Ministry of Defence and civilian sectors.

For defense purposes, the constellation will provide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. On the civilian side, the data will support infrastructure monitoring, disaster management, and maritime surveillance. Miguel Ángel García Primo, CEO of Hisdesat, emphasized the continuity of the alliance in the official release:

“The renewed alliance would ensure continuity of cooperation… while accelerating the adoption of SAR imagery, which can operate in all weather conditions and at any time of day.”

, Miguel Ángel García Primo, CEO of Hisdesat

AirPro News Analysis

We observe that this agreement arrives during a period of intense bifurcation in the Earth Observation market. While “New Space” companies like ICEYE and Capella Space have focused on launching large constellations of smaller, lower-cost satellites to maximize revisit rates, the PAZ 2 program represents a commitment to the “high-end” tier of the market.

By targeting 10 cm resolution and high geometric accuracy, Airbus and Hisdesat are positioning PAZ 2 to compete on quality and fidelity rather than just frequency. This strategy appeals to customers requiring “gold standard” data for precise targeting and detailed infrastructure analysis, capabilities that smaller, cheaper satellites often struggle to match consistently. Furthermore, the integration of PAZ 2 data into Airbus’s existing portfolio allows the European giant to offer a comprehensive package of optical (Pléiades Neo) and radar imagery, securing its standing against growing US and Asian competition.

Timeline and Manufacturing

The manufacturing contract for the PAZ 2 satellites was awarded to Airbus in July 2025. With the commercialization framework now signed in early 2026, the program is moving toward a projected service entry in 2031. The satellites will operate in a sun-synchronous orbit to maintain consistent lighting conditions, similar to the current PAZ and the German TerraSAR-X missions.

Sources

• Airbus