The European Union has finalized a €10.5 billion contract to create and launch its own sovereign satellite internet constellation, a direct initiative to ensure the bloc’s digital autonomy and provide a secure communications network independent of foreign-owned systems. The project, named IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite), is designed to serve both government and commercial needs, positioning Europe as a key player in the increasingly strategic domain of space-based connectivity.
This multi-orbit network of nearly 300 satellites aims to eliminate reliance on third-party providers for critical functions ranging from military communications to border surveillance and crisis management. Driven by growing concerns over the geopolitical leverage held by private companies and non-European nations, IRIS² represents a cornerstone of the EU’s broader strategy for technological sovereignty. The system will provide secure, high-speed broadband across the continent, with a specific focus on eliminating connectivity “dead zones” and offering a trusted alternative for commercial users, setting it on a competitive course with established mega-constellations.
Forging Strategic Autonomy in Space
The primary impetus behind the IRIS² program is the European Union’s push for greater strategic autonomy. Recent global events, particularly the role of SpaceX’s Starlink in the Ukraine conflict, underscored the risks of depending on a privately-owned, non-European company for vital wartime communications. This dependency raised alarms within the EU about the potential for service disruptions based on the decisions of a single corporate entity or foreign government, prompting an urgent push for a sovereign alternative.
IRIS² is the third flagship program in the EU’s space strategy, following the Galileo navigation system and the Copernicus Earth observation program. Together, these systems form the foundation of Europe’s independent capabilities in space. The objective extends beyond military and governmental security; it is about ensuring the long-term resilience of the continent’s critical infrastructure, from energy grids to financial networks, which are increasingly reliant on satellite-based timing and communication services. By controlling its own constellation, the EU can guarantee unrestricted access and set its own security standards.
A Hybrid Multi-Orbit Architecture
Unlike constellations that operate in a single orbital plane, IRIS² will employ a hybrid design utilizing satellites in both Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). This multi-orbit approach is a key technical differentiator, designed to combine the advantages of both altitudes. The system is planned to include approximately 290 satellites, with the majority orbiting in LEO and a smaller number in the MEO shell.
Combining LEO and MEO Advantages
The LEO satellites, orbiting closer to the Earth, will provide the high-speed, low-latency connectivity essential for real-time applications like secure video calls and battlefield communications. The MEO satellites, positioned farther out, offer wider coverage beams, capable of servicing large geographic areas with fewer spacecraft, enhancing the system’s overall efficiency and resilience. This blended architecture allows IRIS² to offer robust, layered coverage for Europe and extend its services to other areas of strategic interest, such as Africa.
An Industrial Public-Private Partnership
The development and 12-year operation of IRIS² are funded through a public-private partnership model valued at €10.5 billion. The structure combines €6.5 billion in public funds from the European Commission and European Space Agency (ESA) with over €4 billion in private investment from the industrial consortium selected to build and run the network.
The SpaceRISE Consortium
The contract was awarded to a purpose-built European consortium named SpaceRISE. This group is led by three of the continent’s largest satellite operators: SES of Luxembourg, Eutelsat of France, and Hispasat of Spain. The core team of subcontractors includes major aerospace and telecommunications firms, such as Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, Telespazio, Orange, and Deutsche Telekom, uniting the continent’s leading industrial players to deliver the project.
Timeline and Dual-Use Services
Under the terms of the contract, the IRIS² network is scheduled to begin delivering initial services with full operational capability expected by 2030. The European Space Agency is tasked with overseeing the technical development and deployment of the satellites and ground infrastructure. The EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) will manage the provision of secure governmental services once the system is active.
Governmental and Commercial Applications
IRIS² is explicitly designed as a dual-use system. Its primary function is to provide secure, encrypted, and guaranteed connectivity for governmental and military users. These services will support border and maritime surveillance, crisis management, protection of critical infrastructure, and communications for embassies and deployed forces. Concurrently, the constellation will offer commercial services, providing high-speed broadband to businesses and helping to bridge the digital divide in rural and underserved areas of Europe.
Navigating a Crowded Market
While IRIS² is a direct response to Starlink, it is not designed to replicate it. SpaceX has already deployed thousands of satellites for its consumer-focused global network, a scale far beyond the scope of IRIS². Instead, the European system is focused on providing a secure and sovereign service tailored to the strategic needs of the EU, emphasizing quality and security over sheer quantity.
The project enters an increasingly competitive field. Beyond Starlink, Amazon’s Project Kuiper is building out its own LEO constellation, and the UK-based OneWeb (partially owned by Eutelsat) is also a significant player. The success of IRIS² will depend on its ability to deliver on its promise of unmatched security and reliability for its core governmental clients while carving out a viable niche in the commercial market.