Europe’s Starlink competitor launches successfully

The European Union has recently finalized a deal for its IRIS² constellation, consisting of 290 communication satellites set to operate in both medium and low Earth orbit. This constellation will serve as a competitor to Starlink, offering secure connectivity to governmental users, private companies, and European citizens, while also bringing high-speed internet to underserved areas. The public-private partnership, valued at €10.6 billion, is expected to be fully operational by 2030, as reported by The Financial Times.

The IRIS² Constellation

According to the European Space Agency (ESA), the IRIS² constellation will consist of 264 satellites in low Earth orbit and 18 in medium Earth orbit. These interlinked satellites placed in various orbits will enable secure and rapid communication, ensuring constant connectivity without the need for thousands of satellites, as seen in the case of SpaceX’s Starlink, which has launched over 7,000 low Earth satellites since 2018.

SpaceRISE Consortium

SpaceRISE, a consortium led by European satellite network operators SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat, with support from companies like Airbus and Deutsche Telekom, has been awarded a 12-year concession contract to develop, deploy, and operate the IRIS² constellation. The acronym IRIS² stands for Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security by Satellite.

Benefits of IRIS² Constellation

Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, highlighted that the IRIS² constellation will protect critical infrastructures, connect remote areas, and enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy. This cutting-edge technology showcases the power of public-private collaboration in driving innovation and delivering tangible benefits to all Europeans.

FCC Chair’s Perspective

In a statement in September, FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel emphasized the importance of competition in the space industry, particularly in response to Elon Musk’s Starlink. She noted that a competitive market leads to lower prices, more innovation, and overall benefits for consumers, advocating for a diverse and competitive space sector.

Update, December 17th: Added details on the numbers of satellites in the constellation.

Conclusion

The EU’s IRIS² constellation signifies a significant advancement in satellite technology, promising secure connectivity, high-speed internet access, and strategic autonomy for Europe. Through collaborations like SpaceRISE, innovative solutions are being developed to address the growing demands for reliable communication networks.

FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of the IRIS² constellation?

A: The IRIS² constellation aims to provide secure connectivity, high-speed internet access, and strategic autonomy for Europe through a network of communication satellites.

Q: Who is leading the development of the IRIS² constellation?

A: The SpaceRISE consortium, consisting of European satellite network operators and supported by key industry players, is spearheading the development, deployment, and operation of the IRIS² constellation.

Credit: www.theverge.com