The Spanish Space Command has officially accepted a Space Situational Awareness and Control System (CCSE) at its headquarters at the Torrejón Air Base near Madrid. This is a key tool for surveillance, control, and management of activities in the space environment, developed by GMV for the Spanish Ministry of Defense.
“The space sector holds critical importance in an increasingly complex and interconnected world, where the relentless advance of disruptive technologies, along with hybrid, energy, and environmental threats, poses historic challenges," Director General of Armament and Material (DiGAM), Admiral Aniceto Rosique Nieto, emphasised.
“The CCSE system is technologically cutting-edge in Europe, at a level reached by very few countries.”
The ceremony was presided over by the Chief of Staff of the Spanish Air and Space Force (JEMA), General Francisco Braco Carbó, and has included the signing of the official system acceptance protocol by Admiral Nieto, and Major General Isaac Manuel Crespo Zaragoza, Commander of the Space Command.
“With this CCSE system, GMV is making cutting-edge space technology available to the Spanish Ministry of Defense. The system represents the result of our leadership, experience in the industry, and ongoing investment in R&D. These are dual-use technologies that will not only enhance Spain’s space surveillance and security capabilities, but also advance the country’s technological development in general," The CEO of GMV, Jesús Serrano, stated.
After the official acceptance, those in attendance were able to observe an operational demonstration of the new CCSE system at the Space Operations and Surveillance Center (COVE).
The CCSE system was created in 2019 as part of the evolution of the COVE under the Spanish Space Command (MESPA), with the aim of serving the national interest by ensuring security and situational awareness for the space environment. Its Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was demonstrated in 2021, and since then, COVE has participated in international exercises such as Global Sentinel, organised by the United States Space Command with GMV’s technological support.