The European Commission has chosen the SpaceRISE consortium to develop Iris², an ambitious space project aimed at strengthening digital sovereignty and the strength of European communications. By 2030, this network of 290 multi-orbital satellites is expected to provide secure connections and meet military and civilian needs, marking a major step forward for the European Union.
A European constellation of satellites
The Iris² constellation, the European Union's new satellite communications project, has just reached a decisive milestone. The European Commission has in fact announced that it has selected the SpaceRISE consortium, made up of European operators SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat, to design, deploy and manage the network.
This project is a continuation of the European space initiatives Galileo (satellite positioning) and Copernicus (climate monitoring), this time aimed at securing communications. Scheduled to enter service in 2030, the Iris² constellation will be made up of 290 multi-orbital satellites distributed over medium (MEO) and low (LEO) orbits.
Estimated at 6 billion euros, the project will be financed by a public-private partnership. The European contribution reaches 2.4 billion euros, while the European Space Agency will contribute 750 million. The private sector, represented by SpaceRISE and its subcontractors, completes the budget.
A contract in the service of digital sovereignty
This partnership will provide the European Union with a secure network, designed to operate even in the event of disruptions to terrestrial infrastructure, essential in a context of growing cybersecurity threats. Iris² also aims to fill the “white areas” in Europe, these territories still deprived of broadband connections.
The European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium have underlined the strategic importance of this contract, which is expected to be signed by December 20. “ This choice marks a crucial step in the establishment, in Europe, of communications infrastructures that are secure, resilient and sovereign. said SpaceRISE. The project also responds to the ambitions of Thierry Breton, former European commissioner, who pleaded for a communications infrastructure independent of Starlink, the satellite network of the American SpaceX.
The contract provides that management of the constellation will be ensured by SpaceRISE for a period of twelve years, including the design, deployment and operation of the satellites as well as their terrestrial infrastructure. In addition to the large groups involved, such as Thales, OHB, Airbus and Orange, the Commission wishes to encourage subcontracting among European SMEs. According to Brussels, the contract will include mechanisms to guarantee competitive selection of subcontractors, thus promoting innovation and the participation of new players.
