IRIS2 will make it possible to eliminate the use of Starlink in the EU territory
The EU has launched an ambitious IRIS2 programme, for which it plans to allocate around US$11 billion. As part of this initiative, two key contracts have been awarded at the end of 2024.
The IRIS2 programme aims to create a constellation of 290 satellites to provide internet connectivity. Using rocket boosters, the satellites will be placed in low and medium earth orbits. The full constellation is to be in orbit by 2030. The new project builds on the EU’s existing satellite systems, Galileo and Copernicus. These systems provide navigation and space monitoring of the Earth.
The EU wants to create an alternative to Starlink to reduce the region’s dependence on the US provider.
The program’s encrypted satellite internet will be mostly for military and government use. In the future, the EU will extend IRIS2 services to private customers.
The programme was a response to the growing global popularity of Starlink, which is heavily used for military purposes. Such trends raised concerns among the EU government about the security of using such communication. As a result, the authorities decided to create an alternative to Elon Musk’s project. IRIS2 will be a joint effort between the European government and private companies. The latter include:
– SES of Luxembourg;
– the French company Eutelsat;
– the Spanish business Hispasat.
Under the agreement, the EU will provide €6 billion for the programme. The funding is subject to approval by all Member States. Private partners will invest more than €4 billion. An additional €550 million will come from the EU Space Agency. Under the terms of the contract, the cooperation between the parties will last for 12 years.
Reasons for implementing the project
According to Andrius Kubilius, the EU Commissioner for Defence and Space, the IRIS2 programme is a serious step forward for the region in terms of strengthening security. He notes that the issue of defending the community is extremely urgent in view of the geopolitical conflicts unfolding in Europe.
Communication is the most important factor in ensuring security and monitoring the situation. However, signal jamming is a problem in the region, affecting the efficiency of many processes.
Starlink satellite internet has proven to be an effective solution, especially in geopolitical conflicts in Europe. This has drawn the authorities’ attention to the potential of this technology.
However, the politics of Elon Musk, the head of SpaceX, the company that provides Starlink services, have raised concerns. Musk has backed Donald Trump’s administration and shares its hard-line stance, increasing the risk of political interference in service provision. In addition, Musk has repeatedly shut down satellite communications on his initiative, which has negatively impacted stakeholders. The factors outlined above suggest the need for an alternative to Starlink, and IRIS2 could be it.
