Overview
- Hispasat, majority‑owned by Indra, has been named prime contractor for Iris2’s ground infrastructure in a deal worth more than €1.6 billion and will lead the very low Earth orbit layer with up to €600 million in commitments.
- The decision finalizes negotiations between the SpaceRISE consortium and EU and ESA authorities on a 12‑year public‑private concession to deliver a multiorbital satellite system intended to provide government services by 2030.
- SpaceRISE brings together major European firms including Eutelsat, SES, Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia, OHB, Telespazio, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Hisdesat and Thales SIX to build and operate the network.
- The Spanish government has announced plans to invest roughly €1.6–2.0 billion in a national Satcom Multiórbita programme linked to Iris2 to bolster defence communications, cybersecurity and related industrial activity.
- Key technical details such as exact satellite counts and deployment phasing remain inconsistent across reports, but Iris2 is being presented as Europe’s multiorbital effort to secure digital sovereignty while allowing potential commercial services.