EU Unveils $18B Plan for Expanded IRIS² Satellite Network
WHO:
Breaking Defense - HispaSat, part of Spain’s Indra Group, has been selected as the prime contractor for the ground portion of the IRIS² project.
Breaking Defense - The European Commission is the executive arm of the EU involved in the IRIS² satellite constellation project.
SpaceNews - The SpaceRISE consortium includes satellite operators Eutelsat (France), Hispasat (Spain), and SES (Luxembourg).
WHAT:
Breaking Defense - The budget for the ground-related segment of the IRIS² project is valued at €1.6 billion ($1.85 billion).
SpaceNews - The IRIS² project will now cost €15.6 billion ($18 billion), a 47% increase from the previous estimate of €10.6 billion.
SpaceNews - The Spanish government will contribute between €1.6 billion and €2 billion for IRIS² through a national military satellite system.
Breaking Defense - The EU has agreed to a rollout plan for the IRIS² satellite constellation, which will add 66 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
SpaceNews - The total cost of the IRIS² project is now estimated at €15.6 billion ($18 billion), a 47% increase from the previous estimate of €10.6 billion.
SpaceNews - The IRIS² constellation will comprise 348 satellites, including 330 LEO satellites and 18 medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites.
SpaceNews - The additional high-LEO satellites will increase secure governmental capacity by 60% within the EU and 54% globally.
WHERE:
Breaking Defense - The project is part of the European Union's efforts to enhance its space capabilities and reduce dependence on the US for space technology.
WHEN:
Breaking Defense - The first satellite launches are scheduled for 2029.
SpaceNews - The agreement for the IRIS² constellation was reached on August 7.
SpaceNews - The SpaceRISE consortium was selected in December 2024 for a one-year design phase.
WHY:
Breaking Defense - The initiative aims to strengthen capabilities for defense, security, and emergency services within the EU.
SpaceNews - The project is part of Europe's strategy for "strategic autonomy" in space, aiming to reduce reliance on US technology.
HOW:
SpaceNews - The European Commission acknowledged that an additional investment in the program budget will be required for the IRIS² constellation.
Breaking Defense - The European Commission has reached an implementation agreement with the SpaceRise consortium to proceed with the satellite constellation.
SpaceNews - The funding for the IRIS² project will come from the European Commission's next multiannual financial framework, running from 2028 through 2034, along with contributions from EU member states.
(UPDATED August 8, 2026 08:30 UTC)
HispaSat, part of Spain’s Indra Group, has been selected as the prime contractor for the ground portion of the IRIS² project, which now has a total budget of €15.6 billion, reflecting a significant increase from earlier estimates. The Spanish government is set to contribute between €1.6 billion and €2 billion through a national military satellite system to support this initiative. Additionally, the European Commission has indicated that further investment will be necessary to fully fund the IRIS² constellation.
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(UPDATED August 8, 2026 07:48 UTC)
The European Commission has announced a rollout plan for the IRIS² satellite constellation, which will consist of 348 satellites, including 66 low Earth orbit satellites, with a total cost now estimated at €15.6 billion. This initiative aims to enhance the EU's space capabilities and reduce dependence on US technology, with the first satellite launches scheduled for 2029. Funding will be sourced from the European Commission's next multiannual financial framework, which spans from 2028 through 2034, along with contributions from EU member states.