EU’s Starlink Alternative Is Finally Moving Beyond the Planning Stage
The network will use 348 satellites and is designed for defense, emergency services and other critical government operations, officials said.
- The European Commission finalized plans for the IRIS satellite broadband service, signing an agreement with the European Space Agency and manufacturers to develop the constellation's design, ground infrastructure, and launch services.
- Expanding the project beyond initial plans, the constellation will now consist of 348 satellites by adding 66 units. The European Space Agency noted these additions strengthen capabilities for defense, security, and emergency services.
- IRIS services are designed for critical operations like border surveillance and humanitarian responses rather than end consumers. Governments within European states, along with partners Norway and Iceland, will utilize the network.
- Future plans involve making the network available to businesses and citizens in areas where traditional connectivity is unreliable. The agreement also specifies target pricing for each satellite and required investment from private operators.
- With the first satellites launching in 2029, the European constellation remains modest in scale compared to existing networks. SpaceX's Starlink currently operates more than 10,000 active satellites in low Earth orbit.
31 Articles
31 Articles
EU IRIS satellite constellation to reach full capacity by 2030
The European Union has formally initiated the development of IRIS, an independent satellite communications system designed as a strategic alternative to commercial networks such as Starlink. The European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium have signed final documents, transitioning the project from the design phase to the production and deployment of the space segment. Orbital Architecture and Configuration During the final planning stage, e…
A total of 330 satellites in low-Earth orbit and 18 in medium orbit are planned.
Europe has taken the step that was missing to guarantee its sovereignty in space and has a definitive plan for the IRIS2 network. The project now enters the actual implementation stage, after the...
The EU's IRIS² program aims to ensure internet access to the most remote regions of Europe.
EU's Starlink alternative gets the green light, deployment will start in 2029
The European Commission has finalized the plans for the EU's sovereign IRIS satellite broadband service. The plan outlines the detailed design of the satellite constellation, the preparation for satellite production and the development of the ground infrastructure and launch services involved. The EU Commission has also signed an agreement with European manufacturers and the European Space Agency (ESA) after starting negotiations in January this…
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