IRIS²: European satellite internet enters its industrial phase with 348 satellites

The European Space Agency and the manufacturers involved in the IRIS² network have completed the planning stage. Europe’s satellite internet project is now entering its industrial phase, with 66 additional satellites added to the plans. The European Starlink equivalent will be made available to the general public at a later stage of the rollout.

This is a major milestone, even though there is nothing tangible to see yet. The European Commission has just signed an agreement to implement the IRIS² project, confirming its move from planning into large-scale deployment. Working with the SpaceRISE industrial consortium, which brings together the manufacturers responsible for building the satellite constellation and enabling low Earth orbit internet access, IRIS² is now targeting 2029.

IRIS² satellite network: 348 satellites planned for 2029

The various stakeholders have therefore committed to what is described as an “accelerated” timetable, with the first launches scheduled for 2029 and services being introduced progressively. The network is set to include 348 satellites, 66 more than originally planned. All 66 of these extra satellites will operate in low Earth orbit. In total, 330 will be in low Earth orbit, while the remaining 18 will be positioned in medium Earth orbit.

European satellite internet for governments before the public

IRIS² will initially be deployed for European governments, defence forces and emergency services. Only later will it become an internet provider for businesses and private individuals. In this respect, the European infrastructure will differ from Starlink, the service offered by US-based SpaceX, which has been designed as a mass-market public network from the outset.

The SpaceRISE consortium brings together three major European satellite operators: Luxembourg’s SES, France’s Eutelsat and Spain’s Hispasat. They are supported by leading industrial groups including Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, OHB and Aerospacelab. By serving governments, armed forces and emergency services, IRIS² is intended to complement Galileo, for geolocation, and Copernicus, for Earth observation.

Following the announcement, Eutelsat said it plans to invest €3.4 billion by 2034. Discussing IRIS²’s transition to the industrial phase, Eutelsat chief executive Jean-François Fallacher said it “represents a decisive moment for Eutelsat and for Europe’s space ambitions. The additional public and private investments approved today strengthen the programme by providing greater capacity, resilience and flexibility”.

IRIS² in Europe, Starshield in the United States

In the United States, Starlink has also attracted the interest of the military, which wanted a secure network separate from public infrastructure. This led to the creation of Starshield, a militarised network supplied by SpaceX at the Pentagon’s request. On both sides of the Atlantic, powers are seeking a resilient internet service in the event of geopolitical conflict, major cyberattacks or a significant outage.