The European Union has taken a major step in its quest for technological autonomy and security with the signing of a 10.6 billion euro contract for the IRIS² project, a constellation of 290 satellites aimed at providing secure connectivity across Europe. Announced today, this project is intended to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink, providing high-speed connectivity services to government users, businesses and European citizens, while covering white areas.
A major European space project
The IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) constellation will include 290 satellites positioned in medium and low orbit. The SpaceRISE consortium, led by European operators SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat, with the support of major players such as Airbus and Deutsche Telekom, has been awarded a 12-year concession to develop, deploy and operate this network.
The financing of the project is divided between public funds (61%) and private investments, including a significant contribution from Eutelsat to the tune of 2 billion euros. This public-private collaboration illustrates the European desire to stimulate its space industry while guaranteeing its strategic independence
Strategic and commercial objectives
IRIS² will pursue a dual mission. On the one hand, it will provide secure connectivity services to European governments, particularly for surveillance and crisis management. On the other hand, it will offer commercial broadband services to businesses and individuals, particularly in white areas.
This project represents a European response to the domination of Elon Musk’s Starlink, which already has more than 7,000 satellites in orbit since 2018. It is in line with major European space programs such as Galileo and Copernicus, thus marking the Europe’s desire to maintain its technological sovereignty in space.
The service is expected to be operational by 2030, providing European users with a local alternative to US satellite constellations. For Apple, which is increasingly interested in satellite communications for its iPhones, particularly with the emergency SOS function, this new constellation could represent an opportunity for future partnership on the European market.
