The Government has decided to take a further step in the fight against extreme weather events and natural disasters relying on space technology, aware of the effects of climate change They are best measured from spaceThe Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has unveiled a substantial public investment aimed at improving the capacity to anticipate and respond to fires, floods, droughts, and other increasingly frequent and damaging weather events.
In a context marked by the climate emergency and the need to have Accurate information almost instantly about what is happening in the territorySpain is committed to strengthening its presence in space with a new Earth observation constellation, designed to provide very high-quality data to emergency services, government agencies, and key economic sectors, in line with other similar initiatives. constellation projects.
325 million for three satellites of the ESCA+ Atlantic Constellation
During the sixth edition of the Economic Forum organized by elDiario.es, held in Madrid, Pedro Sánchez announced the imminent launch of a call for proposals through the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop the so-called Atlantic Constellation of satellites, known as ESCA+. This initiative foresees an allocation of 325 million euros allocated to the construction of three new satellites.
These devices will be designed to reinforce the capacity to respond to extreme weather events and environmental crisesThis will be achieved by sending near real-time data to the agencies responsible for emergency management and land-use planning. The idea is for Spain and Portugal to have their own robust Earth observation tool focused on their geographical area.
The president stressed that this project is part of the structural transformation of the Spanish economy driven by the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, which seeks to modernize the productive fabric through digitalization, the energy transition and the promotion of science and innovation.
According to government sources, the investment is part of a broader effort to consolidate the aerospace sector as a strategic area Spain has gained prominence in this area in recent years. This initiative complements other European Earth observation programs, but with a very specific focus on climate risk management and natural disasters.
What is the ESCA+ Atlantic Constellation and which territories will it serve?
The ESCA+ Atlantic Constellation is defined as a project of Earth observation focused on the Iberian PeninsulaDesigned to provide high-resolution images and measurements of Spain and Portugal, this system is not just about "looking from above," but about obtaining highly detailed and frequent information that allows for quick and informed decision-making.
Thanks to these three satellites, the aim is to ensure a high revisit frequencyThis means that the same point in the territory can be observed at very short intervals of time. This is key to tracking the evolution of an active fire, monitoring a flash flood, or tracking the progression of a prolonged drought.
The ESCA+ model is integrated into a broader cooperation scheme within Europe, based on a cluster ecosystem in which each country contributes one or more satellites and everyone shares the data, a way of cooperation in constellationsIn this way, the constellation will contribute to the objectives of ESA's ERS program and will align with the European Commission's EOGS (Earth Observation Governmental System) initiative, reinforcing European sovereignty in Earth observation data.
In practice, this means that the data generated by the constellation will benefit not only the central administration, but also autonomous communities, local entities and, where appropriate, other European partners participating in this cooperation scheme for environmental monitoring and risk management.
Applications: from fires and floods to agriculture and droughts
One of the program's highlights is the variety of uses envisioned for the information collected by the satellites. According to the government, the deployment of ESCA+ will allow applying data in sectors as sensitive as emergencies, civil protection and natural resource management.
In the field of civil protection, the constellation will be used to improve the early detection and monitoring of forest firesas well as to assess in near real-time the extent of the flames, the direction of their spread, and the most affected areas. This information can be crucial when planning firefighting resources and evacuations.
In situations of floods or spillsThe high-resolution images will be used to accurately see which areas are flooded, how the water level is evolving, and where the pollutants are spreading, facilitating decision-making regarding rescue, road closures, and the protection of critical infrastructure.
Agriculture will also be one of the major beneficiaries. Satellites will allow for a detailed crop monitoringThis will help both farmers and the administrations responsible for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). With this data, it will be possible to monitor the state of crops, detect water stress or pests, and adjust subsidies based on the actual situation on the ground.
Furthermore, the constellation will provide relevant information for the ecological transition and drought managementallowing for finer monitoring of water resources, the evolution of ecosystems and the impacts of prolonged heat waves, key elements in a climate that is becoming more extreme.
Technical characteristics of the satellites and onboard technology
The satellites planned within ESCA+ will be equipped with a series of advanced payloads that will make them highly versatile tools. It is estimated that each satellite will have an approximate mass of between 200 and 250 kilograms, a size that places them in the category of medium-sized observation satellites, capable of combining high technology with contained costs.
Among the instruments that could be integrated are very high resolution (VHR) optical camerascapable of capturing fine details of the Earth's surface, as well as cameras of Thermal infrared (TIR) to measure temperatures and detect heat sources, which is especially useful in fires, water management, and infrastructure monitoring. The inclusion of sensors that allow for simultaneous analysis is also being considered. the challenges posed by megaconstellations.
The possibility of including electromagnetic field sensors (ELINT) and a synthetic aperture radar (SAR), capable of obtaining images even at night or with clouds present, which greatly expands the observation capacity and reduces dependence on weather conditions.
The program will allow rehearsal technological demonstrations in secure communications, such as inter-satellite links, quantum key distribution (QKD) techniques, or controlled deorbiting systems at the end of the satellite's useful life to minimize the generation of space debris.
Investment management and impact in the Spanish space industry
The €325 million investment will be primarily directed towards companies in the space and high-tech sector based in SpainThese entities, in turn, will collaborate with universities, research centers, and technology organizations. The goal is to create a collaborative network that generates knowledge, skilled employment, and innovation within the country.
La Spanish Space AgencyWith the support of the European Space Agency (ESA), the agency will be responsible for managing the funds and coordinating the program's implementation. The Spanish central government, and in particular the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, will oversee the project's development and its integration with other R&D and ecological transition policies.
It is estimated that the direct impact on the national space industry will exceed 200 million euros in contracts between 2026 and 2027This represents a significant boost for the aerospace ecosystem. Furthermore, the effects are expected to be distributed across several autonomous communities, including Andalusia, Madrid, Galicia, Catalonia, the Basque Country, the Valencian Community, and Castile and León.
This type of project not only promotes specialized employment, but also contributes to consolidating a competitive business fabric in the field of Earth observationopening the door to future European and international contracts and positioning Spain as a relevant player in the new space map.
A project linked to the Recovery Plan and the DANA Addendum
The launch of ESCA+ is part of the DANA Addendum to the Recovery Plan, approved by the European Commission, which incorporates a new component—number 32—specifically aimed at strengthening resilience to natural disasters and adverse weather events. This addendum and the experience of the DANA storm in Valencia They emphasize the need for better alert and monitoring systems.
This addendum covers more than 1.240 billion euros allocated to reconstruction of territories affected by storms and the improvement of the capacity to react to external “shocks” such as major storms, floods or episodes of torrential rain, phenomena that have become more frequent and severe.
In this context, the ESCA+ constellation is conceived as a key tool for having Reliable and timely information that allows for the reduction of human, social, and economic damage.The experience of recent episodes of extreme rainfall has highlighted the need for better near real-time alert and monitoring systems.
The Government thus links space policy with civil protection, territorial planning and adaptation to climate change, integrating investment in satellites within a broader strategy of resilience and economic modernization financed in large part by European Next Generation EU funds.
Through this project, Spain seeks to consolidate itself as a country that not only reacts when disaster strikes, but also It works to anticipate and minimize the impact of extreme weather eventsThe combination of space technology, European coordination, and public policies focused on prevention positions the ESCA+ Atlantic Constellation as an important part of this new roadmap to address the climate crisis.
