Overview
- The European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium signed an implementation agreement on 7 August that shifts IRIS² from planning into full‑scale deployment.
- The deal increases the constellation by 66 satellites to a total of 348 units split as 330 in low Earth orbit and 18 in medium Earth orbit.
- Partners will complete detailed design, start satellite manufacture, secure launch contracts and build secure ground infrastructure to enable first launches and progressive service roll‑out from 2029.
- Funding will combine EU budget lines for 2028–2034 with national contributions and private investment, with Poland, Hungary and Spain already committing large sums and press reports valuing the programme at about €15.6 billion.
- ESA will oversee technical implementation while the SpaceRISE consortium and European manufacturers such as Airbus, Thales Alenia Space, OHB and Aerospacelab deliver hardware and operations to boost Europe’s sovereign connectivity for defence, security and emergency users.