IRIS² Expands to 348 Satellites and Enters the Implementation Phase

The European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium are driving forward the implementation of IRIS². The constellation is expanding to 348 satellites and is expected to provide secure, sovereign connectivity for government agencies, defense, law enforcement, and emergency services starting in 2029.

Europe’s Sovereign Satellite Network

IRIS² stands for “Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security by Satellite” and is the European program for its own secure and resilient satellite connectivity. The infrastructure is designed in particular to ensure government and security-critical communications, even in crisis situations and remote regions.

Technically, IRIS² is based on a multi-orbit architecture comprising satellites in low and medium Earth orbit, as well as a secure ground infrastructure. This is also intended to strengthen Europe’s strategic and technological independence in satellite-based connectivity.

Implementation Agreement Formalizes IRIS²

The European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium have concluded negotiations on key technical, economic, and timeline parameters for IRIS² and signed an implementation agreement.

This marks the transition of the European satellite program from the planning phase to concrete implementation. The agreement includes adjustments to the system design, capacity, deployment schedule, target price, and investments by private operators.

The first launches are scheduled to take place by 2029. A phased rollout of operational connectivity services is planned thereafter.

348 Satellites in LEO and MEO

The future IRIS² constellation is to consist of 348 satellites. The plan calls for 330 satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 18 satellites in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). In addition, there will be optional elements for specific missions.

Part of the expanded architecture includes 66 additional satellites in low Earth orbit. These are intended, in particular, to strengthen capabilities for defense, security, and emergency services.

According to the European Commission, the expansion will increase secure government capacity by 60 percent within the EU and by 54 percent worldwide.

Secure Connectivity for Critical Applications

IRIS² is designed to provide sovereign, secure, and resilient satellite communications. Authorized government users in the EU member states, as well as in the currently participating countries of Norway and Iceland, will be able to communicate continuously via this system, even during critical operations.

Intended areas of application include emergency response, the protection of critical infrastructure, and security and defense missions.

For system integrators and providers of secure communication solutions, the integration of satellite constellations, secure ground infrastructure, and operational connectivity services is particularly relevant. It creates the technical foundation for applications where availability, security, and resilience are critical.

European Industry Builds Space and Ground Infrastructure

IRIS² is being implemented as a public-private partnership. The SpaceRISE consortium—comprising SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat—is collaborating with the European Commission, the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Union Agency for the Space Program (EUSPA), and European industry partners.

The industry team includes, among others, Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, OHB, and Aerospacelab. The program is also intended to create opportunities for startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and mid-cap companies.

The next steps include finalizing the detailed constellation design, preparing and manufacturing the satellites, establishing a secure ground infrastructure, and procuring the necessary launch services.

Additional Investments for Accelerated Expansion

The increased capacity and accelerated expansion require additional investments. Funding will come from the EU budget for 2028 through 2034, as well as from contributions by member states and third countries.

According to the Commission, Poland has already pledged 656 million euros and Hungary 500 million euros. Spain has announced investments ranging from 1.6 to 2 billion euros. Further contributions are currently being reviewed.

With its expanded architecture, IRIS² is becoming a central building block for a European communications infrastructure designed to remain available even under critical conditions.

Further information on the implementation agreement and the expansion of IRIS² is available from the European Commission in the official Press Corner article: IRIS² Communication from the European Commission.