Europe to Build Its Own Secure Satellite Network

Europe is considering developing its own secure satellite network, a significant technological advancement for the continent.

ESA Launches IRIS Space Program

The European Space Agency (ESA) has inked a massive 10.6 billion euro contract for building the IRIS satellite constellation, marking the EU’s most ambitious space initiative in a decade, aimed at competing with Elon Musk’s Starlink network. The first launch is scheduled for 2029.

A Constellation for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security

The IRIS program, standing for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security through Satellites, will feature nearly 300 satellites launched by European rockets. It builds on the EU’s other two satellite constellations, Copernicus and Galileo, which are the largest Earth observation program and the most precise GPS system, respectively. While primarily serving commercial bandwidth needs, a significant portion will be dedicated to security and crisis management.

Mixed Public-Private Funding

Of the total 10.6 billion euros, 6 billion is funded by the EU, with ESA contributing 550 million euros. The remaining 4 billion euros will come from private sector investments.

ESA is collaborating with the European Commission through SpaceRISE, an industrial consortium led by European satellite operators SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat. Other members include Deutsche Telekom, Airbus, and Thales, as reported by the Financial Times.

IRIS and the Competition

With the IRIS launch scheduled for 2029, Starlink is expected to dominate the satellite internet market in the coming years. Recently, SpaceX completed the world’s first direct-to-mobile satellite constellation, enabling connections to phones even in the most remote areas. Amazon’s Kuiper is also entering the market, including in France.