The European Union has taken a major leap towards digital sovereignty with the signing of a €10.6 billion ($11.1 billion) contract for its IRIS² satellite constellation. This ambitious project, set to rival Elon Musk's Starlink, will deploy nearly 300 satellites into orbit by 2030, providing secure and high-speed communications across Europe and beyond.
Led by the SpaceRISE consortium, which includes major players like SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat, IRIS² represents a significant milestone in Europe's space strategy. The multi-orbital design, combining low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, aims to offer low-latency communications and global coverage without the need for thousands of satellites.
IRIS² will incorporate advanced technologies such as optical intersatellite links, software-defined payloads, and quantum key distribution for enhanced security. The system is designed to be scalable, providing data rates from tens of MB/s to tens of GB/s, and will ensure 100% pole-to-pole coverage.
This project not only strengthens Europe's technological independence but also aims to foster collaboration between industry and public sectors. With the European Commission as an anchor customer, IRIS² is poised to play a crucial role in safeguarding European values, increasing competitiveness, and ensuring secure communications for governmental and commercial purposes.
As the first services are expected to be operational by 2030, the IRIS² constellation stands as a testament to Europe's commitment to digital sovereignty and its ambition to be a key player in the global space economy.