Europe Gets Its Own Satellite Constellation

In a significant move for European space endeavors, the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) have inked deals with a consortium of companies to build a secure satellite network. This constellation, named IRIS², will comprise over 290 satellites and is expected to be operational by early 2031. The project aims to provide secure communications for European governments and commercial services like residential broadband. The IRIS² constellation will feature satellites in three different orbits: 18 in medium Earth orbit (MEO), 264 in low Earth orbit (LEO High), and 10 or more in another LEO shell for future technology testing. This setup will ensure reliable communication even in challenging environments, addressing concerns about threats to undersea cables and signal jamming. Andrius Kubilius, the EU's Commissioner for Defence and Space, highlighted the importance of this initiative, emphasizing Europe's need for an independent communications network. "IRIS² will allow us to connect even when faced with hostility, " he said. The EU is contributing €6 billion to the project, with €2 billion already funded under the current financial framework. ESA is adding €550 million, and the SpaceRISE consortium, led by Eutelsat, Hispasat, and SES, is chipping in €4. 1 billion. The next phase involves a one-year design period and a critical design review in early 2028. Launches are scheduled for 2029 and 2030, requiring 13 Ariane 64 rockets. This project also supports Europe's space industry, enhancing its resilience and competitiveness on the global stage. It's a crucial step forward, given previous proposals that were less ambitious and had a shorter timeline.