- IRIS2 is an ambitious European Union project to create a secure and autonomous satellite network.
- The consortium in charge of its construction is led by Hispasat, SES and Eutelsat.
- The project has an estimated cost of 6.000 billion euros, with an expected operational date of 2030.
- IRIS2 seeks to guarantee European digital sovereignty and compete with the constellations of Starlink and Kuiper.
The IRIS2 project is in the process of becoming a reality. This mega-constellation of satellites, promoted by the European Union, seeks to ensure European digital sovereignty and strengthen its crisis response capabilities. With a high strategic and technological component, the project is a firm response to the current mega-constellations of satellites. Starlink (owned by SpaceX) and Cooper (from Amazon), which are already gaining weight in the global satellite telecommunications market.
IRIS2 is Europe's Satellite Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security. It will have a network of more than 290 satellites low orbit (LEO), medium orbit (MEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO), combining the advantages of each type of orbit to provide full coverage. Although more modest than its competitors, the European constellation promises to be a key tool for ensuring sovereign communications within the continent.
The SpaceRISE consortium: European leaders in space
The European Union awarded the construction and operation of the IRIS2 constellation to the consortium SpaceRISE, made up of key companies in the European space sector such as Hispasat, Eutelsat y SESThis consortium also has the collaboration of firms such as Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, OHB, among others, which forms a first-class team with the aim of guaranteeing the success of the project.
The project has an estimated initial budget of 6.000 millones de euros, of which the European Commission will finance approximately 60%, while the remaining 40% will be provided by the private industry involved in the project. However, some projections already raise the cost to 10.000 millones de euros due to possible technological adjustments and updates throughout the development of the constellation.
IRIS2 Strategic Objectives
IRIS2 is not only a technological response to the Starlink or Kuiper megaconstellations, but plays a crucial role for Europe's strategic sovereignty. By providing a high-capacity, secure and resilient communications network, the constellation will offer services for both government users as for commercial use.
Initially, the IRIS2 satellites are expected to focus on Protect critical infrastructure y respond to potential crises within the European continent. As it develops, the constellation will also make it possible to reduce the digital divide in areas where access to high-speed internet is limited or non-existent, boosting competitiveness and connectivity throughout the region.
Key differences with Starlink
While both IRIS2 and Starlink aim to provide satellite connectivity, there are fundamental differences in their technical and deployment approaches. The Starlink constellation features a significantly larger number of satellites, approximately 30.000 devices in low orbit, while IRIS2 will operate with fewer than 300. However, IRIS2 will combine satellites in different orbit types and deploy advanced ground infrastructure, enabling efficient coverage with fewer satellites.
Furthermore, while Starlink is primarily focused on providing internet access to private users, IRIS2 is designed from the ground up to meet the needs of government users and private companies that demand greater security and resilience in communications. In this way, it positions itself as a defender of the European digital sovereignty, as opposed to mega-constellations controlled by non-European actors.
The development and projections of the project
The SpaceRISE consortium hopes to complete the contracting and formalization phase of the contract for 2024 late, which will allow the full development of IRIS2 to begin. The system is expected to be operational by 2030, offering a safe and efficient alternative to current satellite solutions.
The consortium has already detailed its plans to ensure that the construction and deployment of satellites comply with environmental requirements key, avoiding the proliferation of space debris and mitigating the impact of light pollution, an increasingly serious problem with the increase in satellites in orbit.
In addition, the IRIS2 constellation is also expected to open the door to the participation of start-ups and SMEs in the field of new space, fostering innovation and expanding opportunities for the European business community.
Spain's participation, through Hispasat, has been particularly significant, reaffirming the country's technological capacity in the aerospace sector and positioning it at the forefront of defence and global communications. This project not only boosts European leadership in the satellite field, but also internal competitiveness, by offering European private companies the opportunity to get involved in far-reaching development.
IRIS2 is set to be a key competitor in the international satellite race, ensuring the technological independence of Europe, while redefining the standards of secure and resilient connectivity.
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