Europe finalizes expanded plans for IRIS² satellite network

The European Commission has signed an agreement with European manufacturers, the European Space Agency (ESA) and other partners to advance the IRIS² satellite broadband project from planning into full-scale deployment. The deal follows negotiations that began in January.

During those talks, the parties confirmed the detailed design of the satellite constellation, preparations for building the satellites, and plans for ground infrastructure and launch services. They also settled on target pricing for the service and the scale of private operators' investments.

More satellites for security purposes

Manufacturers agreed to build and deliver more satellites than originally planned. The constellation will now include 348 satellites in low Earth orbit, 66 more than initially intended. According to ESA, the additional satellites will boost the system's capabilities for defense, security and emergency services, increasing secure governmental capacity by 60 percent within the EU and 54 percent globally.

The first satellites are scheduled to launch in 2029, with services rolling out progressively from that year.

How it compares to Starlink

IRIS²'s planned network remains far smaller than SpaceX's Starlink, which has more than 10,000 active satellites. However, unlike Starlink, which was built from the outset as a large commercial broadband network, IRIS²'s primary purpose is to provide secure, reliable connectivity for government users across the EU and participating countries such as Norway and Iceland — particularly for emergency response, humanitarian aid and border surveillance. The service is also expected to become available to businesses and citizens in the future, especially in areas lacking reliable traditional networks.