The European Union has officially initiated its Iris² satellite constellation project, signing a concession contract with a European consortium to establish a secure space-based communication system. This ambitious project envisions a multi-orbital network comprising nearly 300 satellites, aiming to compete with major US satellite internet providers like Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper.
European Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen emphasized that this cutting-edge constellation will enhance the protection of critical infrastructures, improve connectivity in remote areas, and bolster Europe's strategic autonomy. Developed through a public-private partnership, Iris² will serve both government and private clients.
With an estimated budget of €10.6 billion ($11.1 billion), the system is designed to facilitate secure communications for military, defense, and diplomatic purposes, while also addressing needs for surveillance, connectivity during natural disasters, and commercial broadband access.
On Monday, the EU signed a 12-year concession with SpaceRISE, a consortium led by Eutelsat, Hispasat, and SES. Other partners include OHB, Airbus Defence and Space, Telespazio, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, and Hisdesat.
Andrius Kubilius, the EU's commissioner for defense and space, described the signing as a pivotal moment in realizing a stronger, more connected, and resilient Europe. He noted that Iris² reflects the Union's commitment to enhancing Europe's presence in space, ensuring security and competitiveness for governments, businesses, and citizens alike.
More than half of the project's budget will be funded by the EU, with €4.1 billion sourced from private investments and €550 million from the European Space Agency (ESA). This launch is timely, as the market for high-speed space connectivity is becoming increasingly competitive, particularly for serving isolated regions.
While Starlink has deployed over 6,000 satellites and serves 2.6 million customers, Iris² aims to achieve comparable performance with a lower number of satellites due to its multi-orbital design. The earth-based infrastructure for Iris² will be exclusively located in Europe, with control centers in Luxembourg, France, and Italy, and the system is expected to be fully operational by 2030.
The Iris² program not only addresses current connectivity needs but also lays the groundwork for Europe's strategic autonomy in an increasingly digital world. This initiative marks the EU's third major space project, following the Galileo satellite navigation system and the Copernicus Earth monitoring satellite constellation.