Spain stands up new Space Command

Minister of Defence Margarita Robles was joined by the Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force, Air General Javier Salto Martínez-Avial; the Chief of Staff of the Space Command, Brigadier General Isaac Manuel Crespo Zaragoza; and others at the standing up of the new MESPA Space Command at Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base. (Spanish Air and Space Force)

Spain stood up its Space Command (Mando del Espacio: MESPA) on 9 January, formalising the new Spanish Air and Space Force structure.

Spanish Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, visited MEPSA at its home at Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base, where she formally activated the new command along with the Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force, Air General Javier Salto Martínez-Avial, and the Chief of Staff of the Space Command, Brigadier General Isaac Manuel Crespo Zaragoza.

“MESPA integrates the Center for Aerospace Observation Systems (CESAEROB) and the Space Surveillance Operations Center (COVE), which will be responsible for providing a complete vision of the situation in space to detect and catalogue threats that will ultimately protect national interests and safely exploit space as an area of operation,” the Spanish Air and Space Force said.

According to the announcement, MESPA comprises 12 military personnel from the Spanish Air and Space Force (one general officer, six officers, three non-commissioned officers, and two junior service personnel), and two civilians from Defence Systems Engineering (ISDEFE) engaged in technical advisory work.

“For their specific training, they maintain permanent contact with counterpart units in France, Germany, and the United States, as well as with NATO and EU [European Union] space agencies, with whom collaboration is essential, both now and in the future,” the Spanish Air and Space Force said.