Europe launches own satellite network rivals Musk's Starlink
The European Union and the European Space Agency ESA are investing €10.6 billion in launching a new satellite network, IRIS², in 2029.
Published on December 18, 2024
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The European Union has announced ambitious plans to launch a satellite network called IRIS², a €10.6 billion investment, as an alternative to Elon Musk's Starlink. The network, comprising 290 satellites, will be fully operational by 2030, providing secure communications for governments and high-speed Internet access for remote areas in Europe and Africa. The initiative reduces dependence on non-European providers. Geopolitical tensions, such as the war in Ukraine, highlight the importance of homegrown infrastructure. IRIS² solves “dead zones” and is crucial for modern warfare. With the support of the European Commission and cooperation with ESA, Europe is striving for a secure and self-sufficient communications future. This project marks a significant step in Europe's technological independence.
An ambitious project with strategic partners
The SpaceRISE consortium, a partnership of leading European companies, will implement the IRIS² project. This collaboration includes major telecom providers like Deutsche Telekom and Orange and experienced space companies such as Thales Alenia Space, OHB, and Airbus Defence & Space. Of the total investment of €10.6 billion, €6 billion comes from the EU and €550 million from ESA, while the private sector contributes €4 billion. The project combines several satellite technologies, using both low (LEO), geostationary (GEO), and medium (MEO) satellite orbits. This multi-orbital approach ensures optimal network coverage and reliability.
Technological independence as a priority
Recent geopolitical developments underscore the urgency of the IRIS² project. Space specialist Angelo Vermeulen emphasizes that our society depends entirely on satellites. The situation in Ukraine has shown how vulnerable Europe's critical infrastructure is. A concrete example was the September 2023 incident where Elon Musk refused to activate Starlink in Crimea. This incident reinforced European concerns about dependence on commercial providers. With about 7,000 operational satellites and coverage in more than 100 countries, Starlink currently has a dominant position.
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Advanced security, wide application
Its focus on security and versatility distinguishes IRIS². The system implements quantum cryptography via the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) and takes a secure-by-design approach. The network supports various government applications, including border control, crisis management, and secure communications for EU embassies. For the commercial market, the system facilitates broadband satellite access, B2B services, and connectivity for transportation networks. A key goal is to eliminate “dead zones” in Europe and Africa, made possible by the satellites' north-south orbits.
IRIS²: ambitious but realistic
The planning for IRIS² is ambitious but realistic. Of the 290 planned satellites, 100 will be in low-Earth orbit and the rest in medium-Earth orbit. The launch is scheduled for 2029, to be fully operational by 2030. This timetable means Europe will have to catch up significantly behind Starlink, which already has over 6,000 satellites in operation. With Copernicus (Earth observation) and Galileo (navigation), IRIS² constitutes the third major European satellite network, underlining Europe's ambition to lead the space sector.
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