IRIS² satellite network: Europe takes a bold leap toward digital sovereignty and secure communications

Brussels, Belgium – In a landmark initiative for European digital sovereignty, the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) have formalised a 12-year partnership with the SpaceRISE consortium to deliver the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security by Satellite (IRIS²) project. The programme, backed by €6.5 billion in public funding and over €4 billion in private investment, will position Europe at the forefront of secure satellite communications by early 2030.

Led by SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat, the SpaceRISE consortium will design, develop, and operate the multi-orbit satellite network, comprising Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites. The constellation, which includes 290 advanced satellites, will enhance low-latency connectivity solutions, bolster Europe’s strategic communications autonomy, and provide secure and resilient communications across governmental, commercial, and citizen platforms.

What is IRIS², and Why Does It Matter for Europe?

The IRIS² satellite network is Europe’s response to growing concerns about communication security, digital dependency, and global connectivity. As geopolitical challenges heighten the need for secure communications, the European Union (EU) is prioritising a resilient satellite infrastructure to ensure independence from external systems.

By integrating cutting-edge LEO and MEO capabilities, IRIS² will provide low-latency broadband solutions, enabling seamless communication for governments, enterprises, and underserved regions. This initiative will play a transformative role in addressing Europe’s critical connectivity needs while reinforcing its digital sovereignty.

Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s Director General, noted that ESA’s technical leadership would ensure IRIS² drives innovation in the European space industry and creates high-value jobs, strengthening the region’s global competitiveness.

How Will the Multi-Orbit Satellite Network Work?

The IRIS² programme will integrate satellites in both Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), offering a scalable, flexible, and secure solution.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO): These satellites provide low-latency connectivity, ideal for high-speed broadband and time-sensitive communications.

Medium Earth Orbit (MEO): SES will deploy 18 new MEO satellites, delivering pole-to-pole global coverage with carrier-grade performance, supporting applications like government communications, mobile backhaul, enterprise connectivity, and global inflight services.

This combination of LEO and MEO ensures the IRIS² constellation delivers resilient satellite infrastructure capable of meeting diverse demands, from governmental security to rural broadband.

Public-Private Partnership: A Game-Changer for Europe’s Space Industry

The IRIS² project is a unique example of a public-private partnership (PPP), uniting public funding with private sector innovation. The European Commission will act as an anchor customer for the network, ensuring guaranteed utilisation while fostering technological advancements across the European space industry.

Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES, highlighted that the project aligns with SES’s financial policies, projecting an internal rate of return exceeding 10%. SES’s multi-orbit architecture, combined with commercial access to LEO capacity, positions it to meet growing demand for low-latency connectivity solutions worldwide.

The public funding structure also reduces risks for the private sector, enabling SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat to focus on delivering innovative, secure solutions. Eva Berneke, CEO of Eutelsat, described IRIS² as pivotal in achieving Europe’s strategic communications autonomy while bridging digital gaps for millions of citizens and businesses.

Key Benefits of the IRIS² Initiative

Strategic Communications Autonomy: Europe will reduce reliance on external networks, ensuring secure government communications and enhanced national security.

Resilient Satellite Infrastructure: The combination of MEO and LEO technologies ensures scalability and reliability across diverse sectors.

Low-Latency Connectivity Solutions: Businesses, governments, and citizens will benefit from high-speed, real-time broadband services, particularly in underserved areas.

Innovation in the European Space Industry: By fostering public-private collaboration, IRIS² will create jobs, drive technological innovation, and bolster Europe’s position as a global space leader.

Financial Viability and SES’s Role in IRIS²

The IRIS² project’s financial model includes protections to safeguard profitability and mitigate risks:

Public Funding as a Catalyst: The European Commission’s upfront investment ensures a smooth design and procurement phase, reducing initial financial burdens.

Revenue Generation: SES projects cumulative revenues of approximately €6 billion over the 12-year concession period.

Investor Confidence: SES’s disciplined approach ensures the project aligns with its financial goals, balancing capital expenditure with shareholder returns.

SES plans to invest up to €1.8 billion in MEO satellites starting in 2027, coinciding with its deployment of the O3b mPOWER system, further expanding its next-generation capabilities.

A Step Toward Europe’s Digital Sovereignty

The signing of the IRIS² agreement marks a significant milestone for Europe’s digital sovereignty initiative. With the combined strengths of SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat, the multi-orbit satellite network will deliver secure government communications, low-latency broadband solutions, and unmatched resilience for Europe’s digital ecosystem.

As Miguel Ángel Panduro, CEO of Hispasat, emphasised, IRIS² not only ensures Member States’ secure communications but also fosters a more competitive and innovative European space industry.

With services expected to go live by early 2030, the IRIS² programme will bridge Europe’s digital divide, strengthen strategic communications autonomy, and redefine connectivity standards across the continent.