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\t\t\t\t\t\t07\/08\/2026<\/span> On 7 August, the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium concluded negotiations and signed an implementation agreement to roll out IRIS\u00b2, the European Union\u2019s new flagship satellite constellation. The agreement, among other things, adds 66 satellites into low Earth orbit to the programme, bringing the main constellation to 348 satellites, and moving it from planning to full-scale deployment with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n ESA plays a key role in the IRIS\u00b2 technical implementation, overseeing the constellation\u2019s development, qualification and in-orbit validation, and translating the programme\u2019s ambitions into industrial delivery. In cooperation with the European Commission and SpaceRISE, ESA will ensure the successful delivery of a secure and resilient connectivity system to further strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy and competitiveness.<\/p>\n These negotiations, which began in January, confirm the programme’s key parameters and necessary adjustments, including the design, system capacity, deployment schedule, target price and private operators\u2019 investment. Under the agreement, European manufacturers have committed to delivering the additional satellites, designed with enhanced resilience. Concrete next steps are now in place to achieve first launches by 2029.<\/p>\n Once operational, the constellation will provide sovereign, secure and highly reliable connectivity for European governments, defence and security forces, and emergency services across Europe.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Commission, ESA and the EU Agency for the Space Programme, together with the SpaceRISE consortium and European industrial partners, have defined the next steps needed to deliver IRIS\u00b2. These include finalising the detailed design of the satellite constellation, preparing the construction of satellites and secure ground infrastructure, securing launch services, and progressively deploying operational connectivity services from 2029 onwards.<\/p>\n The future constellation will comprise 348 satellites, consisting of 330 satellites in low Earth orbit and 18 satellites in medium Earth orbit, with additional optional elements to support specific missions.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n To respond to a changing security environment, the Commission is increasing the capacity of IRIS\u00b2 beyond the original design. A dedicated layer of an additional 66 high-low Earth orbit satellites will strengthen capabilities for defence, security and emergency services further enhancing its architecture.<\/p>\n This reinforcement will increase secure governmental capacity by 60% within the EU and 54% globally, while significantly expanding Europe\u2019s ability to support critical missions during crises.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n IRIS\u00b2 will be built through a strong Team Europe approach, combining the expertise of the European Commission, EU Member States, ESA, the European Union Agency for the Space Programme and European industry. Under the public-private partnership, the SpaceRISE consortium (consisting of SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat) and European manufacturers have committed to deliver the required space and ground infrastructure to meet the accelerated timeline.<\/p>\n The industrial team includes major European space companies such as Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, OHB and Aerospacelab, together with numerous companies across the European supply chain. By design, the programme will also generate opportunities for start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises and mid-caps developing innovative space technologies.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n IRIS\u00b2 will enable authorised governmental users across EU Member States and participating countries, currently Norway and Iceland, to communicate securely and continuously during critical operations. Whether responding to emergencies, protecting critical infrastructure or supporting security missions, IRIS\u00b2 will provide Europe with an autonomous and resilient connectivity capability.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The faster deployment and increased capacity required for defence and security needs mean an additional investment in the programme budget. This investment will support enhanced satellite technologies and the deployment of the expanded constellation, while ensuring efficient use of existing programme resources. Funding will come from a combination of EU budget resources for 2028\u20132034 and additional investments from EU Member States and other countries.<\/p>\n EU Member States are already strengthening IRIS\u00b2 through national investments to address specific additional needs. Poland and Hungary have already committed \u20ac656 million and \u20ac500 million respectively, while Spain has announced investments between \u20ac1.6 and \u20ac2 billion. Further EU Member State contributions are under consideration, with the relevant agreements currently being finalised.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n With a clear roadmap setting out the next steps, the Commission sent an official letter to the European Parliament and EU Member States to inform them of the outcome of the negotiations and the implementation phase.<\/p>\n Under the leadership of the Commission and the technical expertise of ESA, the SpaceRISE consortium will now accelerate programme development. This includes satellite manufacturing, the procurement of launch services, and the development of secure ground infrastructure to ensure the timely deployment of the constellation.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n IRIS\u00b2 satellite network will provide sovereign, secure and reliable connectivity across Europe and beyond. It helps protect Europe\u2019s connectivity independence and ensures that governments, emergency services and citizens can stay connected, even in remote areas or during crises.<\/p>\n On 16 December 2024, the Commission signed the 12-year IRIS\u00b2 concession contract with the SpaceRISE consortium (SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat), turning the EU\u2019s planned secure satellite connectivity system into an officially funded and legally binding project. The agreement launched the public-private partnership to design, build, deploy and operate IRIS\u00b2.<\/p>\n Since December 2024, the SpaceRISE consortium and the Commission have focused on detailing the system design, allocating industrial work packages, and preparing large-scale procurement for satellites, launch services and ground infrastructure. At the same time, they have continued refining the constellation architecture and security requirements.<\/p>\n The Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium began negotiations on the programme\u2019s governance, technical set-up and financing, known as Rendezvous 1, in January 2026. The negotiations were concluded on 6 August 2026.<\/p>\n Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence Industry and Space, said: \u201cToday we are taking a decisive step forward for Europe\u2019s security and digital sovereignty. By accelerating the delivery of early defence and security services and reinforcing the IRIS\u00b2 architecture, we will not only bring the network into operation ahead of schedule but also boost secure governmental capacity by more than 60% within the Union. This reinforced, faster-to-market constellation will give our Member States, emergency services and citizens the resilient, autonomous connectivity they need now and in the crises of the future.\u201d<\/p>\n Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General, said: \u201cIRIS\u00b2 is a clear answer to Europe\u2019s needs for sovereign and secure connectivity. Achieving the critical Rendez-vous 1 programme milestone demonstrates Europe\u2019s ability to deliver a secure and resilient capability that enables independent action and safeguards its essential interests. ESA is working alongside the European Commission to further translate this progress into operational capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For more information <\/b><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t0<\/span> likes<\/small><\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\nFrom plans to deployment: concrete next steps towards 2029<\/h2>\n
A reinforced constellation for security and resilience<\/h2>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nEuropean industry commits to delivering IRIS\u00b2<\/h2>\n
Secure connectivity when it matters most<\/h2>\n
Ensuring value for money<\/h2>\n
Next steps<\/h2>\n
Background<\/h2>\n