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IRIS² satellite project enters construction phase with 348 satellites
The European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium have signed an implementation agreement to transition the IRIS² satellite project from planning to the construction phase. This flagship program aims to establish a sovereign, secure, and highly reliable communication network for European governments, defense forces, and emergency services, reducing reliance on non-European providers like SpaceX’s Starlink.
The project has expanded significantly, with the total number of satellites increasing to 348—comprising 330 in low Earth orbit (LEO) and 18 in medium Earth orbit (MEO). This expansion includes 66 additional satellites specifically designed for military and security needs, which is expected to boost secure governmental capacity within the EU by 60%.
The total budget for the constellation has risen to over €15.6 billion. Funding is provided through a combination of EU resources and contributions from member states, including Poland and Hungary, which have collectively committed over €1 billion. Eutelsat has been confirmed as the leader for the LEO segment, with industrial partners including Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, OHB, and Aerospacelab. The first satellite launches are scheduled to begin in 2029.
Entities
Airbus · European Commission · European Space Agency · European Union · Eutelsat · IRIS² · SpaceRISE · Starlink
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The first satellite launches for the IRIS² program are scheduled to begin in 2029. conowego.pl · kosmonautix.cz · www.techcentral.ie
- [● 2 SOURCES] Key industrial partners for the project include Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, OHB, and Aerospacelab. www.techcentral.ie · www.telesatellite.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Eutelsat has been confirmed as the lead for the low Earth orbit (LEO) segment of the IRIS² constellation. www.it-boltwise.de · www.telesatellite.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The European Commission and SpaceRISE consortium signed an implementation agreement to move the IRIS² satellite project into the construction phase. conowego.pl · kosmonautix.cz · www.techcentral.ie
- [DISPUTED] The project budget has increased to over €15.6 billion, up from previous estimates of approximately €10.5 billion to €11 billion. www.advanced-television.com · www.techcentral.ie
- [● 3 SOURCES] The IRIS² constellation will consist of 348 satellites, including 330 in low Earth orbit (LEO) and 18 in medium Earth orbit (MEO). conowego.pl · www.advanced-television.com · www.siliconrepublic.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The addition of 66 satellites is intended to increase secure governmental capacity within the EU by 60% and globally by 54%. conowego.pl · www.techcentral.ie · www.siliconrepublic.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Poland and Hungary have collectively committed more than €1 billion to the project. www.siliconrepublic.com