Europe’s Starlink competitor is go

The EU has sign agreement for IRIS² constellation 290 communications satellites will operate in medium and low Earth orbits. Starlink competitors will provide secure connections to government users, private companies and European citizens, and bring high-speed internet into the dead zone. Public-private partnership deals valued at €10.6 billion (approximately US$11 billion), according to financial timesexpected to be launched in 2030.

According to the European Space Agency (ESA), interconnected satellites placed in different orbits will “enable constellations to communicate securely, quickly and maintain constant connectivity” No need for thousands of satellites”. In comparison, SpaceX has launched about 7,000 low-Earth satellites since 2018 to ensure Starlink’s global coverage and low latency. The IRIS² constellation will consist of 264 low-Earth orbit spacecraft and 18 medium-Earth orbit spacecraft.

SpaceRISE is a consortium led by European satellite network operators SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat, and is supported by European satellite communication subcontractors such as Airbus and Deutsche Telekom. It has received a 12-year concession contract to be responsible for development and deployment and operates the IRIS² constellation. IRIS² is the abbreviation for Infrastructure for Satellite Resilience, Interconnection and Security.

“This cutting-edge constellation will protect our critical infrastructure, connect our most remote areas and increase Europe’s strategic autonomy. By partnering with the SpaceRISE Alliance, we are demonstrating the power of public-private collaboration to drive innovation and empower all Europeans bring tangible benefits.

In September, FCC Chairman Jessica Rosenworcel said She wants to see more competition Elon Musk’s Starlink. “Our economy doesn’t benefit from monopolies… Every communications market is very competitive and we’re seeing lower prices and more innovation, and space is no different, honestly.”

Updated December 17: Added details on the number of satellites in the constellation.