Europe's new flagship satellite network just got bigger and faster. On 7 August, the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium signed an implementation agreement that adds 66 more satellites to the IRIS² constellation, bringing the total to 348. The deal moves the project from planning to full-scale deployment, with first launches now targeted for 2029.
A reinforced constellation for security and resilience
The extra satellites are not just for show. They form a dedicated layer in high-low Earth orbit designed to strengthen capabilities for defence, security and emergency services. This reinforcement increases secure governmental capacity by 60% within the EU and 54% globally, according to the Commission. The change responds to a shifting security environment, giving Europe more ability to support critical missions during crises.
From plans to deployment: concrete next steps
The agreement, negotiated since January, confirms key parameters including design, system capacity, deployment schedule, target price and private investment. European manufacturers have committed to building the additional satellites with enhanced resilience. The European Space Agency (ESA) will oversee the constellation's development, qualification and in-orbit validation, translating ambitions into industrial delivery.
The future constellation will include 330 satellites in low Earth orbit and 18 in medium Earth orbit, with optional elements for specific missions. The Commission, ESA, the EU Agency for the Space Programme, and SpaceRISE have defined next steps: finalising detailed design, preparing satellite construction, securing launch services, and progressively deploying operational connectivity from 2029.
Once operational, IRIS² will provide sovereign, secure and highly reliable connectivity for European governments, defence and security forces, and emergency services across Europe. The programme aims to strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy and competitiveness, with ESA ensuring the successful delivery of a secure and resilient system. For local communities, this means a future where critical communications remain under European control, even in the most demanding situations.
