Artist’s impression of the Amazonas Nexus satellite © Thales Alenia Space

In a time when digital connection is fundamental to economic development, national security, and societal resilience, the European Union (EU) has initiated a transformative effort to enhance its strategic independence in space-based communications. The Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security via Satellite (IRIS²) programme embodies the EU’s ambitious effort to create a sovereign, secure, and resilient satellite communication infrastructure.

The inception of IRIS² arises from the EU’s acknowledgement of the essential requirement for autonomous and secure communication infrastructures. The growing dependence on non-European satellite services, like SpaceX’s Starlink, has exposed weaknesses in the EU’s digital sovereignty. In 2022, the European Commission proposed the IRIS² programme, which aims to establish a multi-orbital satellite constellation to provide secure and reliable communication services for both governmental and commercial users.

IRIS² is designed to fulfil certain strategic objectives:

1. Augmenting Security and Resilience: Through the provision of encrypted and secure communication channels, IRIS² seeks to protect sensitive governmental information and vital infrastructure from cyber attacks and espionage.

2. Advancing Digital Sovereignty: The initiative aims to diminish the EU’s reliance on external satellite services, so strengthening its independence in the digital sphere.

3. Bridging the Digital Divide: IRIS² aims to provide high-speed internet access to underserved and distant areas in Europe and Africa, tackling the problem of connection “dead zones”.

4. Facilitating Crisis Management: The system will enable effective communication during emergencies, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises, thereby augmenting the EU’s crisis response capabilities.

IRIS² will consist of a constellation of 290 satellites, strategically located in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) to provide extensive coverage and low-latency communication services. The incorporation of satellites in various orbits facilitates redundancy and resilience, guaranteeing continuous services despite unfavourable conditions.

The European Commission has assigned the development and operation of IRIS² to the SpaceRISE consortium, which comprises prominent European aerospace and telecommunications firms, including Eutelsat, SES, and Hispasat spacerise.eu. This public-private cooperation model facilitates the amalgamation of expertise, resources, and innovation from both sectors.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is essential in facilitating the program by providing technical competence and coordination, so assuring conformity with overarching EU space policies and objectives.

The IRIS² programme is supported by a significant investment of €10.6 billion, derived from the EU budget, ESA contributions, and private sector investments. This financial investment highlights the EU’s resolve to create a strong and independent space communication system.

Although IRIS² resembles other satellite constellations such as Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper in delivering broadband services, it differentiates itself by prioritising security, resilience, and governmental applications. In contrast to its commercial equivalents, IRIS² is designed to address the distinct requirements of EU member states, emphasising secure communications, crisis management, and strategic autonomy.

The execution of IRIS² poses numerous challenges:

• Technological Intricacy: Creating a multi-orbital constellation with enhanced security capabilities necessitates substantial technological advancement and collaboration.

• Regulatory Harmonisation: Achieving adherence to international space laws and regulations among member states requires rigorous governance mechanisms.

• Competitive Landscape and Market Dynamics: IRIS² must manoeuvre in a market dominated by established entities, necessitating strategic positioning and a compelling value proposition.

The IRIS² initiative is set to begin initial operations by 2027, with complete deployment expected by 2030. With the EU emphasising digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy, IRIS² is anticipated to be pivotal in influencing Europe’s space and communication framework.

The system will facilitate a diverse array of governmental applications, primarily in the areas of surveillance (e.g., border and maritime monitoring), crisis management (e.g., humanitarian assistance), safeguarding and connectivity of critical infrastructures (e.g., secure communications for EU embassies), as well as security and defence (e.g., maritime emergencies, force deployment, EU external operations, law enforcement actions). The system will facilitate numerous commercial applications, including those in the transportation sector (maritime, railway, aircraft, and automobile), intelligent energy grid management, finance, overseas industrial operations, remote healthcare, and rural connectivity (back-hauling).

The system will facilitate mass-market applications such as mobile and fixed broadband satellite access, satellite trunking for B2B services, satellite connectivity for transportation, enhanced networks via satellite, and satellite broadband and cloud-based services.

Utilising innovative technologies, such as 5G standards, the multi-orbital EU secure connection system would guarantee the sustained provision of dependable, secure, and economical satellite connectivity services on a worldwide scale. This will facilitate the advancement of high-speed broadband and uninterrupted connectivity across the Union, eliminating connectivity voids and enhancing cohesion among Member State territories, while also enabling connectivity in strategically significant geographical regions beyond the Union, particularly the Arctic and Africa.

It will also encourage the implementation of innovative and disruptive technologies and novel business models, particularly utilising the “New Space” ecosystem.

The effective implementation of IRIS² will increase the EU’s secure communication capabilities and foster innovation, economic growth, and international collaboration in the space industry.

IRIS² represents the EU’s strategic objective to establish its independence in the vital sector of satellite communications. IRIS² seeks to create a secure, resilient, and sovereign communication infrastructure by coordinated technology advancement, industrial collaboration, and policy alignment.

| SPACERISE CONSORTIUM: PAN-EUROPEAN COLLABORATION

SpaceRISE, the consortium comprising Eutelsat, Hispasat and SES, has signed the agreement with the European Commission (EC) and the European Space Agency (ESA) that will see the consortium design, deliver and operate the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²) for a period of 12 years

The SpaceRISE consortium, entrusted with the implementation of this ambitious project, includes three leading European satellite network operators—SES SA, Eutelsat SA, and Hispasat S.A.—supported by a core team of European subcontractors from the satcom ecosystem. Key partners include Thales Alenia Space, OHB, Airbus Defence and Space, Telespazio, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Hisdesat, and Thales SIX.

This collaboration emphasises a commitment to competitiveness and innovation, ensuring that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and new market entrants have opportunities within the supply chain.

The 12-year concession contract establishes a robust public-private partnership to enable both governmental and commercial connectivity services by 2030.