The European Union has finalised a €10.6 billion public-private partnership to establish IRIS², a constellation of 290 communication satellites designed to rival SpaceX’s Starlink. The system, expected to be operational by 2030, will provide secure connectivity for government users, private companies, and European citizens, while also bringing high-speed internet access to underserved areas.
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Unlike Starlink, which relies on a vast number of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites (around 7,000 launched since 2018), IRIS² will utilize a hybrid approach. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), the interconnected constellation will consist of 264 LEO spacecraft and 18 in medium Earth orbit (MEO), enabling “secure and quick” communication and constant connectivity without the need for thousands of satellites.
The 12-year concession contract for developing, deploying, and operating IRIS² has been awarded to SpaceRISE, a consortium led by European satellite network operators SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat, with support from subcontractors like Airbus and Deutsche Telekom. IRIS² stands for Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite.
“This cutting-edge constellation will protect our critical infrastructures, connect our most remote areas and increase Europe’s strategic autonomy,” stated Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, highlighting the benefits of the public-private collaboration.
This initiative aligns with calls for greater competition in the satellite internet market. In September, FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel emphasized the importance of competition in communication markets, stating that it leads to lower prices, increased innovation, and that “space should be no exception.”
