The European Commission has awarded a significant contract to a consortium led by Eutelsat, Hispasat, and SES to develop and manage IRIS², the European Union’s multi-orbit satellite connectivity network. Designed to support Europe’s digital sovereignty and resilience, the IRIS² system aims to provide secure, high-speed connectivity across EU Member States, improve crisis response, and support key infrastructure. The project, set to become fully operational by the early 2030s, will bridge connectivity gaps and align with Europe’s strategic goals in communication and defence.
The IRIS² project is structured as a public-private partnership (PPP) between the European Union, the European Space Agency, and private entities, pooling resources from both public funding and private investment from the three satellite operators under the SpaceRISE consortium. The consortium’s selection represents a key milestone in establishing autonomous, resilient communications infrastructure across Europe.
Eutelsat CEO Eva Berneke welcomed the award, describing IRIS² as a landmark step in securing Europe’s digital independence. “The IRIS² programme is a powerful extension of Eutelsat’s commitment to advancing Europe’s digital sovereignty through sustained investment in multi-orbit technology to deliver multi-layered, low-latency networks,” she stated. Berneke noted that the project would provide a “resilient, future-ready communication system” that would also benefit Eutelsat stakeholders by enhancing its low Earth orbit (LEO) capabilities.
Hispasat CEO Miguel Ángel Panduro also underlined the programme’s importance, highlighting the value of European innovation and collaboration. “We are firmly committed to everything that IRIS² represents: a sovereign secure communications system, supported by European innovative developments and driven by public-private partnership,” he said. Panduro added that the SpaceRISE consortium is “working to offer the best response to the demands of the European Union” and that the award marks “an exciting first step in a project that will define the future of satellite communications in Europe.”
In a similar vein, SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh expressed the company’s pride in being part of the IRIS² venture. “Being selected as a trusted partner for IRIS² is an honour,” he stated. “SpaceRISE, based on the European Union’s requirements, will define and develop a future-proof space network that will serve as the cornerstone of Europe’s space and defence strategies in the years to come.” Al-Saleh emphasised SES’s commitment to supporting Europe’s connectivity needs, particularly by enhancing its medium Earth orbit (MEO) network and gaining access to LEO orbits as part of the integrated solution.
With the final phase of procurement now in motion, the consortium is preparing to sign the official contract by the end of the year. The IRIS² system will use multi-orbit technology to create a layered, resilient network that addresses various connectivity demands. By establishing Europe’s presence in low-latency satellite communication, the system will serve as a crucial element in the EU’s approach to digital autonomy, supporting infrastructure resilience and bridging digital divides across its Member States.
The SpaceRISE consortium’s combined expertise will contribute to the EU’s long-term strategic goals, bolstering Europe’s security and connectivity infrastructure through an ambitious satellite network that represents a substantial advance in Europe’s digital capabilities.
