While SpaceX is trying to take on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile with its own mobile network, the European Union is moving in a very different direction. It wants a satellite network it can control itself.
The European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium have now signed an implementation agreement for IRIS², the EU’s secure satellite connectivity programme. The deal adds another 66 satellites to the project, taking the planned constellation to 348 spacecraft in total. Of those, 330 will operate in low Earth orbit and 18 in medium Earth orbit. First launches are targeted for 2029.
Why does Europe need its own satellite network?
IRIS² is not primarily meant to be a consumer broadband service. It is being built for governments, defence and security forces, emergency services, and critical infrastructure. Recent events make the reasoning pretty easy to understand. Starlink has become hugely important in Ukraine, where damaged mobile and fixed-line networks have left both civilians and military units relying on satellite connectivity. Similar situations have played out during natural disasters, where cell towers and broadband infrastructure can disappear overnight.
SpaceX has shown just how useful a satellite network can become when everything on the ground stops working. The problem for Europe is that Starlink still belongs to an American company outside the EU’s control. Relying entirely on an external provider for communications during a war, natural disaster, or major security crisis is not exactly an ideal position to be in.
IRIS² is getting bigger before it even launches
The additional 66 satellites are being added specifically to strengthen defence, security, and emergency connectivity. The European Commission says the expanded architecture will increase secure governmental capacity by 60% inside the EU and 54% globally.
ESA will handle much of the technical development and validation, while SpaceRISE members SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat will work alongside European manufacturers on the satellites and ground infrastructure.
IRIS² is still years away from becoming operational, but the programme has now moved beyond planning. Europe is starting to put the hardware, funding, and industrial capacity in place to make sure its most critical communications do not depend on someone else.