[REVISION HISTORY]

European Union IRIS² satellite programme implementation

Updated 10 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-10 16:51 UTC → 2026-09-10 20:14 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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 ~~a significant development for~~ the low-Earth orbit (LEO) segment, Belgian manufacturer Aerospacelab has secured a €2.4 billion contract to develop, build, and deliver 264 ~~satellites. This order covers~~ 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.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.