The European Union has officially launched its ambitious IRIS² satellite project, a $11 billion initiative aimed at securing Europe's digital and strategic autonomy in the increasingly competitive satellite communication space. This public-private collaboration seeks to establish a European counterpart to Elon Musk's Starlink, addressing the need for secure, high-speed internet access and resilient communication networks across the continent.
The IRIS² project, which stands for Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security by Satellite, will deploy a constellation of 290 satellites operating in both medium- and low-earth orbits. The network will provide encrypted communication for EU governments, public agencies, and private businesses, while also extending broadband internet access to underserved areas across Europe. The full rollout of the constellation is targeted for completion by the end of 2030.
"This cutting-edge constellation will protect our critical infrastructures, connect our most remote areas, and increase Europe's strategic autonomy," said Henna Virkkunen, the EU's Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy. "By partnering with the SpaceRISE consortium, we are demonstrating the power of public-private collaboration to drive innovation and deliver tangible benefits to all Europeans."
The SpaceRISE consortium, which includes European satellite operators SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat, has been awarded a 12-year contract to develop, deploy, and operate the IRIS² constellation. Supporting partners include prominent European aerospace firms such as Airbus and Deutsche Telekom, though Airbus and Thales Alenia Space have stepped back from full consortium membership to focus on supplying satellite components.
The IRIS² project represents Europe's third major foray into space infrastructure, following the success of the Galileo navigation system and the Copernicus Earth observation network. However, it has faced challenges, including disagreements over work share among EU member states, particularly concerns from Germany about costs. These delays raised questions about the project's feasibility, especially as competitors like Starlink continue rapid expansion.
Starlink, developed by SpaceX, has already launched approximately 7,000 satellites, accounting for about two-thirds of all satellites currently in orbit. Its rapid growth, coupled with Amazon's forthcoming Kuiper internet network, has put pressure on Europe to accelerate its own initiatives. "In an increasingly complex geopolitical world, ensuring resilient, secure, and fast governmental communications is essential," said Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency.
The IRIS² constellation aims to address these challenges by strengthening Europe's "digital sovereignty," ensuring the continent has a secure, independent communication network that reduces reliance on foreign providers. The network will also contribute to job creation and bolster the region's competitiveness in the global space industry.
Despite these lofty goals, analysts warn that delays in funding and development could leave Europe trailing behind. German defense technology start-up Helsing previously cautioned that IRIS² risks falling behind advancements in artificial intelligence and other technologies if the timeline slips further.
The first satellites are scheduled for launch in mid-2029, with the entire constellation expected to be operational by 2030. The European Space Agency will oversee the project, with operations managed from a control center in central Italy.
The announcement also coincides with rising global interest in satellite constellations as geopolitical tensions underscore the importance of secure and resilient communication networks. U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel highlighted the need for competition in the satellite industry, stating in September, "Our economy doesn't benefit from monopolies... every communications market that has competition is strong. We see lower prices and more innovation, and honestly, space should be no exception."
