EU Launches IRIS² Satellite Network to Compete with Starlink
Europe, Tuesday, 17 December 2024.
The European Union has launched the IRIS² constellation, featuring 290 satellites in a $11 billion deal, aiming to enhance European digital sovereignty by 2030.
Strategic Infrastructure Investment
The European Union has signed a landmark 12-year concession contract worth €10.6 billion (approximately $11.1 billion) with SpaceRISE consortium to develop and operate the IRIS² satellite network [1][5]. The constellation will comprise 264 spacecraft in low Earth orbit and 18 in medium Earth orbit, strategically positioned to provide comprehensive coverage without requiring thousands of satellites [1]. This innovative approach stands in contrast to SpaceX’s Starlink, which has deployed approximately 7,000 satellites since 2018 [1].
European Collaboration and Leadership
The SpaceRISE consortium, led by prominent European satellite operators SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat, brings together key industry players including Airbus, Deutsche Telekom, and other major telecommunications companies [1][6]. The project’s funding structure demonstrates strong public-private partnership, with the EU contributing more than half the budget, €4.1 billion coming from private investment, and €550 million from the European Space Agency [6].
Security and Sovereignty
IRIS², which stands for Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite, will establish its ground infrastructure exclusively within European borders, with control centers located in Luxembourg, France, and Italy [6]. The system is designed to serve both governmental and private users, offering secure communications for military, defense, and diplomatic purposes [6]. As highlighted by EU Commissioner Henna Virkkunen, this cutting-edge constellation will protect critical infrastructures while connecting Europe’s most remote areas [1][6].
Market Impact and Future Prospects
The network is scheduled to begin operations by 2030 [4], entering a competitive market for high-speed space connectivity. While IRIS² will deploy fewer satellites than Starlink, EU officials assert that its multi-orbital design provides performance equivalent to approximately 1,000 Starlink satellites [6]. This initiative represents the EU’s third major space project, following the Galileo navigation system and Copernicus Earth monitoring constellation [6], marking a significant step toward European technological independence in the space sector.