Europe has moved past the IRIS² design phase and is now entering the deployment stage. The European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium have finalized the system configuration, which will include 348 satellites, 330 in low Earth orbit and 18 in medium Earth orbit, with initial launches scheduled for 2029 and initial services starting in 2030. The project exceeds €15.6 billion and aims to secure governmental communications, defense, commercial connectivity, and direct device access.
The key points of IRIS² in 30 seconds
- IRIS² will have 348 satellites, distributed between 330 LEO and 18 MEO.
- The deployment will begin in 2029, with operational service around 2030.
- The planned investment exceeds €15.6 billion.
- Hispasat will lead the ground segment and part of the lower orbital layer.
- The system will include secure connectivity, commercial services, IoT, and Direct-to-Device capabilities.
Often referred to as the “European Starlink,” technically, its approach is broader. It not only seeks to sell satellite Internet access but also to build its own infrastructure for secure communications, government services, and defense, with added commercial capacity.
A multi-orbit architecture to reduce external dependency
IRIS² will combine satellites at different altitudes to meet various needs. The 330 LEO satellites will operate at low altitude to provide lower latency and higher capacity, while the 18 MEO satellites will offer wider coverage and support specific missions.
The European Commission has also increased the size of the program compared to the initial design. The new configuration includes 66 additional satellites to bolster capabilities related to security, defense, and emergencies.
According to Brussels, this reinforcement will enhance secure governmental capacity by 60% within the European Union and 54% worldwide.
The technical approach is significant because there isn’t a single “ideal orbit” for all services. Low latency loads benefit from LEO, while MEO offers broader coverage with fewer satellites. IRIS² aims to combine both layers within a single architecture.
Comparison: IRIS² versus Starlink and Amazon Leo
| Platform | Architecture | Main Objective | D2D | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRIS² | 330 LEO + 18 MEO | Government, defense, businesses, and users | Yes, planned | First launches in 2029 |
| Starlink | Thousands of LEO satellites | Broadband and mobile connectivity | Yes | Operational |
| Amazon Leo | LEO constellation | Broadband and future mobile connectivity | Yes, planned | Deployment underway |
The scale difference is clear. IRIS² doesn’t need to deploy thousands of satellites to accomplish its mission because it prioritizes other requirements, including security, resilience, and institutional coverage.
Hispasat increases its role within European infrastructure
Spain will play a significant role in the final architecture.
Hispasat, part of Indra Space, will be the main contractor for the ground segment. The company will handle antenna infrastructure, control systems, and the connection between space and terrestrial networks.
The terrestrial segment will mobilize more than €1.6 billion, according to Hispasat.
Additionally, the Spanish company will lead the so-called Low LEO layer, situated below 750 kilometers, dedicated to advanced services such as:
- Direct-to-Device communications;
- Internet of Things;
- 5G NR NTN connectivity;
- Commercial and government services.
Hispasat has committed up to €600 million within the project in exchange for exploitation rights in regions considered strategic to complement its current geostationary business.
5G NTN will be one of the most intriguing components
One element that could make IRIS² more than just another satellite broadband network is its planned integration with 5G NR NTN.
NTN, Non-Terrestrial Networks, is part of 3GPP standards and allows mobile networks to use satellites as an extension of terrestrial stations.
This paves the way for certain mobile devices to communicate directly with the constellation without always relying on specific satellite terminals.
It doesn’t mean every current phone will automatically connect to IRIS², but the system is being designed with infrastructure where mobile networks and satellites are part of the same ecosystem.
This is precisely the area where Starlink Direct to Cell, AST SpaceMobile, and the future Amazon Leo Direct-to-Device are making progress.
Europe also needs to manufacture antennas
Building the constellation is only part of the challenge.
To make IRIS² a truly usable service, Europe needs affordable terminals that are easy to deploy and manufacturable at scale.
In May, the European Commission announced a call for €20 million to accelerate the industrialization of user terminals for IRIS² and GOVSATCOM.
Projects should focus on aspects like:
- Ka-band antennas;
- Reducing manufacturing costs;
- Calibration and testing processes;
- European supply chains;
- Modems and basebands compatible with 5G NR NTN.
The goal is to prevent Europe from building a sovereign constellation but later depending on critical components manufactured outside the continent.
Technological sovereignty extends to space too
The Ukraine war and other recent crises have shown how vital satellite networks can be when terrestrial communications fail.
Starlink has become one of the most visible examples of this dependency. A private U.S. company may ultimately provide critical communications to governments, militaries, emergency services, or strategic infrastructure.
IRIS² aims to reduce this vulnerability precisely.
The system will be used by EU governments and participating countries like Norway and Iceland, in addition to offering commercial capacity.
Brussels wants critical communications to remain available during emergencies, attacks on terrestrial networks, or conflicts where reliance on infrastructure controlled by third countries could pose a risk.
Over €15.6 billion to create a European infrastructure
The total planned investment exceeds €15.6 billion.
The scheme combines roughly:
| Funding | Amount |
|---|---|
| Public investment | €11.6 billion |
| SpaceRISE | Up to €4 billion |
| Total | Over €15.6 billion |
Additional national contributions are expected to reinforce specific capabilities.
Poland has committed €656 million and Hungary another €500 million. Spain has announced additional investments between €1.6 and €2 billion.
Members of the SpaceRISE consortium include SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat. The industrial chain will feature companies such as Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, OHB, and Aerospacelab.
It won’t be the European Starlink, and probably doesn’t need to be
Comparing IRIS² to Starlink helps explain the concept quickly but can set false expectations.
SpaceX has built a huge commercial network with thousands of satellites and millions of customers. IRIS² begins with different priorities: sovereignty, security, defense, government communications, and resilience.
The commercial segment will be important but isn’t the only criterion for the project’s success.
On a technological level, the most interesting aspect will be whether Europe can successfully integrate three elements: multi-orbit constellation, 5G NTN mobile networks, and terminals manufactured within a European industrial chain.
If successful, IRIS² could become more than a regional alternative to Starlink—potentially an integrated space infrastructure within European telecom networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many satellites will IRIS² have?
The architecture agreed upon by the European Commission contemplates 348 satellites, with 330 in LEO and 18 in MEO.
When will it start operating?
Initial launches are planned for 2029, with a gradual deployment of services starting around 2030.
Will IRIS² allow direct connection from a mobile phone?
The system includes plans for Direct-to-Device services and compatibility with 5G NR NTN, though actual availability will depend on the terminals, operators, and services developed.
What role will Spain play?
Hispasat will lead the ground segment and the Low LEO layer, with Spain also announcing additional investments between €1.6 and €2 billion.
Sources:
- European Commission, implementation agreement and new architecture for IRIS², 08/07/2026.
- Hispasat, participation in IRIS² and leadership of the ground segment, 08/07/2026.
- European Commission, call for industrialization of IRIS² and GOVSATCOM terminals, 05/28/2026.
- SpaceRISE, technical information and schedule for the IRIS² program.
