European Commission Launches IRIS² Satellite Project

The European Commission has awarded contracts to advance the €10.6 billion IRIS² satellite constellation project, designed to provide secure communications for EU governments and public agencies, as a countermeasure to Elon Musk's Starlink. The initiative will deploy over 280 satellites across low and medium Earth orbits, enhancing Europe's digital independence and resilience. Josef Aschbacher, director general of the European Space Agency, emphasized the project's importance for secure governmental communications and job creation. Despite facing challenges related to cost and industrial collaboration, the initiative is viewed as crucial for bolstering Europe's 'digital sovereignty'. The first satellite launch is scheduled for mid-2029, with full deployment expected by the end of 2030. The project has gained urgency due to Starlink's dominance in the satellite market, which currently includes two-thirds of satellites in orbit.