A new era for European space connectivity is unfolding. With IRIS², the European Union is building a sovereign satellite constellation that will secure communications, protect critical infrastructure, and expand secure connectivity to citizens, including in underserved areas. In this Observer, we explore what IRIS² is, how it builds on the legacy of advancements in the EU Space Programme, and what it means for Europe and the world.
IRIS², or Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite, is the EU’s third satellite flagship after Galileo and Copernicus. Credit: European Union.
IRIS² is the European Union’s latest step in strengthening its Space Programme, this time with a focus on secure internet and telecommunications services. At its heart lies an important mission: to provide Europe with secure, resilient, and sovereign communications for the digital age.
Reliable and secure communications have always been essential. In today’s digital age of connected devices and internet-based services, the stakes are even higher. Power grids, banks, public transport, healthcare, security, and defence all depend on uninterrupted connectivity, while billions of connected devices link our everyday lives to the internet. Europe’s growing reliance on these systems position communications resilience as a fundamental requirement for security and prosperity.
IRIS² will give Europe the ability to manage its secure communications independently. By combining a sovereign satellite constellation with terrestrial networks, the initiative will provide encrypted links for governments, resilient channels for crisis response, and broadband access where fibre cannot reach. Built in Europe and operated under European control, the system is designed to safeguard and protect European interests while delivering direct benefits to citizens, businesses, and international partners.
What is IRIS²?
IRIS², or Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite, is the EU’s third satellite flagship after Galileo and Copernicus. It is a next-generation European system-of-systems, with a sovereign satellite constellation at its core, designed to provide secure, reliable, and cost-effective connectivity across Europe and beyond.
The system will consist of around 290 satellites operating in different orbits: 18 in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), 264 in higher Low Earth Orbit (LEO-High), and 10 in lower Low Earth Orbit (LEO-Low). This multi-orbit architecture will ensure resilience and global reach, supported by strategically located control centres across the EU. IRIS² will also integrate quantum key distribution through the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI). Combined with a secure-by-design approach, this will provide users with a level of cybersecurity not previously seen in this type of service.
IRIS² is more than just hardware. It represents the EU’s first public-private partnership in satellite-based secure connectivity. By combining public oversight with private expertise, the EU shares development costs with industry, pooling expertise and resources to reach new capabilities.
A 12-year concession contract between the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium for the design, development, deployment, and operation of IRIS² was signed on 16 December 2024. Credit: ESA.
Three well-established satellite operators, Eutelsat, SES, and Hispasat, have formed the SpaceRISE consortium, which has signed a 12-year concession contract with the European Commission, which will be implemented with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA). SES will lead the deployment of new Medium Earth Orbit satellites, Eutelsat will provide Low Earth Orbit capacity, and Hispasat will design, deliver and operate the governmental ground segment, including facilities to manage the orbital layers and their interconnection with terrestrial networks. ESA will support technology development, while the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is responsible for security accreditation and the provision of governmental services.
Full IRIS² services are expected in 2030, following design, development, and deployment phases. Credit: European Union.
The €10.6 billion project timeline is divided into three phases: design and development between 2025 and 2028, deployment from 2029 to 2030, and exploitation between 2030 and 2037. IRIS² is expected to reach full operational capacity and to provide its complete set of services by 2030.
The system will provide secure communications resilient to cyber and hybrid threats, with coverage stretching from Europe to Africa and beyond. IRIS² is built to scale with rising digital demand and will interconnect with terrestrial 5G and 6G networks, extending connectivity to regions in which terrestrial networks are unavailable or unreliable.
Building on Copernicus: From observation to communication
IRIS² is part of the EU Space Programme and it complements Copernicus, the world’s largest provider of Earth Observation data.
Copernicus provides the eyes of Europe on Earth, and IRIS² adds the secure channel through which information can flow. Together, they contribute to a system that strengthens the EU’s capacity to act within Europe and internationally. Copernicus data already supports climate action, agriculture, emergency management and security applications. However, transmitting this data securely and in real-time, especially in remote or crisis-hit areas, requires a robust communications infrastructure. IRIS² addresses this need by providing satellite-based secure connectivity, helping to cover connectivity dead zones.
This link also extends beyond Europe. Programmes such as GMES & Africa rely on Copernicus data for sustainable development. With IRIS², access to this data can be secured and extended, further amplifying the EU’s global partnerships.
Benefits for Europe and beyond
For public users, IRIS² supports secure communications for critical infrastructure operators, crisis management, diplomacy, and defence. Whether responding to natural disasters or countering hybrid threats, secure communications can save lives and safeguard Europe’s security and resilience. For businesses, the system creates new opportunities for digital innovation, from secure cloud services to advanced applications in logistics, healthcare, and energy. It also extends connectivity in places where fibre and mobile networks are not reliable, allowing companies to expand into underserved regions.
For citizens, IRIS² helps bridge the digital divide. Rural and remote communities will gain access to high-speed internet, supporting integration in the digital economy, online education, and telemedicine. For partners overseas, IRIS² extends Europe’s commitment to digital inclusion. By providing secure connectivity to Africa and other regions of strategic importance, it supports sustainable development while strengthening international cooperation. Just as importantly, IRIS² acts as a shield against cyber and hybrid threats, in a world where digital security is inseparable from daily life.
Europe’s vision for secure connectivity
Europe’s vision for secure connectivity with IRIS² is firmly future-oriented. It reflects Europe’s ambition not only to meet today’s needs but to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges. Built in Europe and powered by European industry, IRIS² will draw heavily on the expertise of SMEs and start-ups, with SpaceRISE committing 10% of ESA’s total contract value under the ESA Partnership Project to SMEs. This industrial participation is important because just as Copernicus created a thriving ecosystem of applications and downstream businesses, IRIS² is expected to unlock a new wave of services in secure connectivity.
IRIS² will provide Europe with secure, resilient, and sovereign communications for the digital age, contributing to environmental sustainability and fostering high-skilled job creation. Credit: European Union.
Sustainability is also central to the project. The constellation is being designed with efficiency in mind, making use of greener technologies and contributing to the EU’s climate goals. In this way, space systems can act not only as drivers of innovation, but also active contributors to Europe’s green and digital transitions.
Looking further ahead, IRIS² forms part of Europe’s broader vision of technological sovereignty. In an era in which communications infrastructure is increasingly contested, IRIS² helps Europe retain control over its own networks, while continuing to foster innovation and openness. Alongside the rest of the EU Space Programme, it demonstrates how EU space assets can deliver tangible benefits for citizens, businesses, and governments. By ensuring secure communications with global coverage, from every European citizen to areas of strategic importance such as the Arctic and Africa, IRIS² strengthens Europe’s resilience and positions it as a leader in the digital age.
Watch the EU Space Programme Explained video to see how IRIS² fits into the wider EU Space Programme.