- EU awards satellite internet constellation contract to SpaceRISE consortium.
- SpaceRISE comprises of leading European space companies.
- Project will launch 290+ multi-orbit satellites by 2030 and ensure European digital sovereignty.
The European Commission has awarded a €10 billion contract to build a satellite internet constellation, directly challenging SpaceX’s Starlink and marking Europe’s most significant investment in space-based communications. The contract, announced on October 31, 2024, tasks the SpaceRISE consortium with developing and launching over 290 satellites by 2030, establishing a network that will serve both government and commercial users across the continent.
European space giants unite for a satellite internet constellation
The SpaceRISE consortium brings together Europe’s satellite heavyweights, with SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat at the helm. The powerhouse alliance is strengthened by an impressive roster of subcontractors, including aerospace giants Thales (Thales Alenia Space), OHB, and Airbus (Airbus Defence and Space), alongside telecommunications veterans Deutsche Telekom and Orange.
The scope of the 12-year concession contract reveals the EU’s determination to establish its own secure connectivity infrastructure. The project will deliver governmental and commercial services through a public-private partnership model, with full operational capability targeted for 2030.
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Strategic independence and innovation
The IRIS² project represents more than a technical achievement; it’s a strategic move to ensure Europe’s digital sovereignty. As global powers and big business race to establish space-based internet infrastructure, the EU’s investment signals its commitment to maintaining technological independence and a secure communication framework.
The consortium’s approach notably emphasises competitive subcontracting, with specific provisions for SME participation and innovation promotion. This focus on new entrants could reshape Europe’s space industry landscape, fostering, the Commission hopes, a more diverse and dynamic space sector.
Financial framework and future prospects
While the exact financial details remain wrapped in the official announcement, the €10 billion investment will be shared between public and private sources. The European Union and European Space Agency will provide public funding, with the SpaceRISE consortium to contribute private investment.
The European Commission plans to commit initial funds under the current multiannual financial framework, and additional funding, post-2027, will depend on successor programmes and further appropriations, highlighting the long-term nature of the endeavour.
The constellation’s planned deployment of over 290 satellites at different orbital levels represents a significant technological undertaking. The multi-orbit approach could provide a more robust and flexible service delivery than “traditional” single-orbit systems.
The timing of the announcement is comes at a time of intensifying global competition in satellite internet services. With SpaceX’s Starlink already operational and Amazon’s Project Kuiper beginning to deploy, Europe’s IRIS² aims to ensure the continent isn’t left behind in the space-based internet connectivity race.
As the European Commission moves towards finalising the concession agreement by December 2024, the project should transform Europe’s space and telecommunications industries. The success of IRIS² could secure Europe’s digital sovereignty and establish new standards for international and public/private collaboration in space infrastructure development.
The project’s blend of governmental and commercial suggests a high degree of sustainability, creating a business model that could support long-term operations beyond initial public funding bootstrapping.
