IRIS2 – new EU satellite constellation to provide enhanced and safe connectivity

FACTA

European Commission awarded SpaceRISE consortium the concession to develop, deploy and operate the Union´s satellite system IRIS2 (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite). SpaceRISE consortium includes European satellite network operators SES SA, Eutelsat SA and Hispasat SA and was contracted to create a system of 290 satellites on various orbits and ground infrastructure by 2030. IRIS2 is a public-private partnership and will be the European Union's third satellite flagship project (following Galileo and Copernicus). IRIS2 will be providing enhanced connectivity services and broadband connectivity to governmental users and thus increase EU's security, safety and resilience, while allowing its commercial use for private companies and citizens as well. 

FUTURA

At a time of geopolitical tensions, with ever increasing frequency of hybrid threats, security of the communication infrastructure presents significant challenge for the policy makers all over the world. Employing its own system, building on the latest advancements in the segment, could substantially improve the self-sufficiency, resilience and security of the EU´s digital space. War in Ukraine showed how important the independence of satellite systems is, e.g. as the limited access to Starlink has demonstrated. IRIS2 will be crucial for the EU in multiple aspects - it can significantly improve its connectivity in time of technological transformation, strengthen its digital sovereignty and improve its security and resilience in times of growing cyber and hybrid attacks. The system will also support a number of commercial applications and ensure high-speed internet broadband to cope with connectivity dead zones, thus potentially improving EU´s competitiveness.