# European Union IRIS² satellite programme implementation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-union-iris-satellite-programme-implementation > Updated: 2026-09-10T15:22:27.000Z. Sources: 81. Developments: 9. The European Union is transitioning its IRIS² satellite connectivity programme from the planning phase to implementation. The initiative aims to establish European digital sovereignty by providing secure, independent communications for government, defense, and emergency services, serving as an alternative to commercial providers like SpaceX’s Starlink. Following the August 2026 implementation agreement between the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium, major manufacturing contracts have been awarded. German aerospace company OHB has secured a contract worth nearly €1 billion from SES to develop and produce the 18 satellite platforms for the Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) segment. These satellites, each with an expected launch mass of approximately 2.6 tonnes and a maximum power of about 15 kW, will be produced at OHB’s facility in Bremen, Germany. In the low-Earth orbit (LEO) segment, Belgian manufacturer Aerospacelab has secured a €2.4 billion contract to develop, build, and deliver 264 satellites, covering approximately 75% to 80% of the planned LEO fleet. Aerospacelab will utilize its ‘Megafactory’ in Charleroi, which has a production capacity of up to 500 satellites per year, signaling a shift toward large-scale, serial production of standardized platforms. Additionally, Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space have signed agreements with Eutelsat to begin producing the first layer of satellites for the LEO segment. As the program develops, the European Commission has entered negotiations with Ukraine regarding its potential accession to the IRIS² programme and the Govsatcom project. The total constellation is expected to consist of approximately 348 to 350 satellites. The first satellite launches are scheduled for 2029, with services expected to become available starting in 2030. ## Claims - The project budget has increased to over €15.6 billion, up from previous estimates of approximately €10.5 billion to €11 billion. (disputed by 2 sources) - The IRIS project involves an investment of 15,500 million euros. (disputed) - The European Commission and SpaceRISE consortium signed an implementation agreement to move the IRIS² satellite project into the construction phase. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The IRIS² constellation will consist of 348 satellites, including 330 in low Earth orbit (LEO) and 18 in medium Earth orbit (MEO). (corroborated by 3 sources) - The first satellite launches for the IRIS² program are scheduled to begin in 2029. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The addition of 66 satellites is intended to increase secure governmental capacity within the EU by 60% and globally by 54%. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Eutelsat has been confirmed as the lead for the low Earth orbit (LEO) segment of the IRIS² constellation. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Key industrial partners for the project include Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, OHB, and Aerospacelab. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Poland and Hungary have collectively committed more than €1 billion to the project. (single source) - The European Commission announced the IRIS project to create an independent satellite network. (single source) - The IRIS network is expected to be fully operational by 2030. (single source) - The SpaceRISE consortium, which includes Hispasat, has been awarded the project. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: European Union initiates IRIS 2 satellite production and Ukraine negotiations The EU has begun negotiations for Ukraine to join the IRIS 2 satellite program, while Airbus and Thales Alenia Space start production on the constellation's first LEO satellites. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-union-advances-iris-2-satellite-program-and-ukraine-negotiations ### 2026-09-10: Aerospacelab wins €2.4 billion contract for European IRIS² satellites Belgian company Aerospacelab has won a €2.4 billion contract to produce 264 satellites for Europe’s IRIS² network, aiming to reduce reliance on US-based satellite technology. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aerospacelab-wins-24-billion-contract-for-european-iris-satellites ### 2026-09-02: OHB secures €1 billion contract for EU IRIS² satellite project OHB has received a nearly €1 billion contract from SES to build 18 satellite platforms for the EU’s IRIS² communication system, with production centered in Bremen, Germany. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ohb-secures-1-billion-contract-for-eu-iris-satellite-project ### 2026-08-31: OHB to build 18 satellites for EU IRIS² constellation in €1 billion deal OHB has secured a nearly €1 billion contract with SES to build 18 MEO satellites for the EU’s IRIS² secure communications constellation. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ohb-to-build-18-satellites-for-eu-iris-constellation-in-1-billion-deal ### 2026-08-25: EU announces IRIS² satellite network expansion The EU is implementing the IRIS² secure satellite network, adding 66 satellites to boost capacity by 60%. Greece is noted as a leading player in European defense innovation and collaborative projects. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-commission-launches-iris-secure-satellite-network ### 2026-08-16: Aerospacelab wins major contract for Iris2 satellite network Belgian startup Aerospacelab has reportedly won a contract worth at least 1.8 billion euros to build most of the Iris2 satellite network, aiming for orbital deployment by 2029. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aerospacelab-wins-major-contract-for-iris2-satellite-network ### 2026-08-16: European Commission launches 15.5 billion euro IRIS satellite project The European Commission is investing 15.5 billion euros in the IRIS satellite project to secure communications, though Europe will rely on SpaceX’s Starlink until the network is operational in 2030. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-commission-launches-155-billion-euro-iris-satellite-project ### 2026-08-09: IRIS² satellite project enters construction phase with 348 satellites The EU and SpaceRISE consortium have moved the IRIS² satellite project into construction, expanding the constellation to 348 satellites with a budget exceeding €15.6 billion for secure communications. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-union-finalizes-iris-satellite-internet-project-plans ### 2026-08-07: IRIS² satellite programme enters implementation phase with SpaceRISE The EU and SpaceRISE consortium have signed an agreement to deploy the IRIS² satellite network, featuring 348 satellites to provide secure, sovereign communications for defense and government use by 2029. 49 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eu-expands-iris-satellite-constellation-to-348-satellites-targeting-2029-service-launch --- Cite as: European Union IRIS² satellite programme implementation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-union-iris-satellite-programme-implementation