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\t\t\t\t\t\t16\/12\/2024<\/span> A multi-orbit constellation of about 300 satellites that will deliver resilient, secure and fast communications for EU governments, European companies and citizens will be put in orbit after two contracts were confirmed today in Brussels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The IRIS2<\/sup> constellation \u2013 which stands for Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite \u2013 will comprise hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit and others in medium Earth orbit. Placing interlinked satellites into these different orbits will enable the constellation to communicate securely and quickly and remain constantly connected without needing thousands of satellites. An additional layer in low Earth orbit providing further services will also be developed.<\/p>\n Launched by European rockets, the IRIS2<\/sup> constellation will promote European autonomy, resilience and competitiveness. It will ensure uninterrupted access to secure governmental connectivity services and provide high-end commercial services. IRIS2<\/sup> builds on ESA\u2019s ongoing delivery of constellations for the EU, including Copernicus, the world\u2019s largest Earth-observation programme, and Galileo, the world\u2019s most accurate civilian satellite-navigation system. As the third EU flagship space programme, IRIS2<\/sup> will be a strategic asset for the EU in support of its sovereignty.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n ESA is supporting the development of IRIS2<\/sup> through a Partnership Project contract with an industrial consortium called SpaceRISE selected by the European Commission. A 12-year concession contract between the European Commission and SpaceRISE \u2013 which is led by European satellite operators SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat \u2013 was signed by Timo Pesonen, the European Commission\u2019s Director-General for Defence, Industry and Space, Adel Al-Saleh, Chief Executive Officer of SES, Eva Berneke, Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat, and Miguel \u00c1ngel Pandura Panadero, Chief Executive Officer of Hispasat. A second contract between ESA and the SpaceRISE consortium was signed by Laurent Jaffart, ESA Director for Connectivity and Secure Communications. The full consortium will include satellite manufacturers and other companies as well as small and medium-sized enterprises.<\/p>\n The total cost for the full duration of the 12-year concession contract amounts to \u20ac10.6 billion. This will be funded by the EU for \u20ac6 billion, over three financial perspectives, by ESA for \u20ac550 million and by the private sector for over \u20ac4 billion.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n ESA has a key role in IRIS\u00b2, with the European Commission leveraging the Agency\u2019s decades-long track record of experience in developing and implementing space programmes in collaboration with Industry. The 12-year concession contract will see ESA monitoring development and validation activities performed by the industrial consortium. The first launch for IRIS\u00b2 is envisaged in 2029.<\/p>\n Timo Pesonen, the European Commission\u2019s Director-General for Defence, Industry and Space, said: \u201cThe Commission has delivered on the Union\u2019s imperative need for an autonomous and secure connectivity capability. IRIS\u00b2 underpins our strategic autonomy and defence capacity, promotes our competitiveness, and energises public and private sectors cooperation.\u201d<\/p>\n Josef Aschbacher, Director General of ESA, said: \u201cIn an increasingly complex geopolitical world, ensuring resilient, secure and fast governmental communications is essential. ESA will play a crucial role in the technical implementation of the IRIS2<\/sup> programme. ESA\u2019s excellence will foster innovation in the European space industry, boost European competitiveness, create jobs and attract talents to Europe. The Commission\u2019s trust in ESA to oversee the development of the constellation and its ground infrastructure speaks volumes of ESA\u2019s successful track record in the delivery of European flagship programmes. ESA is ready to deliver again, for Europe and its citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n Adel Al-Saleh, Chief Executive of SES, said: \u201cWe are honoured to lead the SpaceRISE consortium to work with the European Commission and the European Space Agency on the IRIS\u00b2 project. IRIS\u00b2 is integral to Europe\u2019s space strategy and is already fostering enhanced collaboration and innovation between the industry and public sectors. By strategically coming together, we will be able to ensure architecture resiliency and security from day one of the system launch. With the EC as an anchor customer of the constellation, our investment in IRIS\u00b2 will see us augment our medium Earth orbit capabilities while executing our required rate of return, maintaining investment grade balance sheet metrics, and returning cash to our shareholders.\u201d<\/p>\n Eva Berneke, Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat, said: \u201cThe IRIS\u00b2 programme is a landmark initiative that embodies Europe\u2019s commitment to digital sovereignty, resilience, and strategic autonomy. At Eutelsat, we are uniquely positioned to bring unparalleled expertise to this mission, leveraging our pioneering capabilities, including our cutting-edge low Earth orbit constellation. By combining this advanced infrastructure with the collective strengths of the SpaceRISE consortium, we will deliver a transformative communications backbone that addresses Europe\u2019s most critical connectivity needs of our governments, reinforces its leadership in space innovation, and bridges the digital divide for millions of citizens and businesses across the continent. This project is a testament to Eutelsat\u2019s vision of driving secure and sustainable connectivity for a resilient Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n Miguel \u00c1ngel Panduro, Chief Executive Officer of Hispasat, said: \u201cThe signing of IRIS\u00b2 is a historical milestone for European space. Hispasat was born out of public-private collaboration to provide government and commercial communications in geographical areas of interest to our country. We are therefore convinced that, through SpaceRISE, we will not only guarantee the secure communications of the Member States, but also contribute to generating a more innovative and competitive ecosystem at a time of special relevance for the European space industry.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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