Europe’s IRIS2 Constellation Enters the Build Phase

Payload Space reports that Europe's IRIS2 satellite constellation has officially moved to its implementation phase. The program's scope expanded significantly: the constellation now includes at least three hundred forty-eight satellites—up from two hundred ninety—with a budget increase to approximately fifteen point six billion euros. Three major European operators are spearheading development: Eutelsat is investing two point two three billion euros to develop three hundred thirty low-Earth-orbit satellites; SES will design and build payloads for eighteen medium-Earth-orbit satellites with a one point three five billion euro commitment; and HispaSat is prime contractor for the ground network and is leading development of twenty very-low-Earth-orbit satellites. The EU and member states are funding the remainder—Spain committing two billion euros, Poland six hundred fifty-six million euros, and Hungary five hundred million euros. The European Commission aims to launch first satellites on European rockets in twenty twenty-nine while projecting a sixty percent boost in secure governmental capacity across the union.

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