May 8, 2023 - Last week, Europe's major space and telecommunications companies announced their joint bid for the European Union's near-Earth orbit satellite Internet project, aiming to provide secure network communications services for Europe.
The project, named IRIS², seeks to create Europe's own satellite network similar to SpaceX's satellite Internet service.
Late last year, the EU unveiled plans for IRIS², a secure satellite communications system that will utilize a network of near-Earth orbiting satellites to deliver Internet services to Europe.
In response, prominent European companies like Airbus Defense and Space, Eutelsat, SES, and Thales Alenia Space formed partnerships to support the construction of Europe's satellite network.
The estimated cost of IRIS² is currently around $6.6 billion, with a target operational date of 2027. The EU will contribute $2.64 billion to the project, while additional funding will come from the European Space Agency and private investments.
EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton stated, "IRIS² will be our autonomous European network carrier in space, enhancing Europe's position in the space sector with clear ambitions and directions."
Alongside EU officials, several European companies, including Deutsche Telekom, Hispasat, OHB, Orange, Hisdesat, and Telespazio, are collaborating on this project. Their involvement aims to foster European startup participation in the space sector, with the goal of having startups build 30 percent of the IRIS² infrastructure.
Named after the Greek goddess Iris, the messenger, the IRIS² satellite network will provide comprehensive network connectivity throughout Europe, particularly in areas with limited broadband access. Additionally, the project plans to extend Internet connectivity to Africa using satellites operating in a north-south orbit.
The IRIS² satellite network will be integrated with existing European satellite systems like Galileo, the global satellite navigation system, and Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-1B, the twin Earth observation satellites. This integration and coordination are intended to minimize space congestion risks.
However, IRIS² still has a long way to go to match the scale of SpaceX's satellite Internet. SpaceX, since 2018, has launched thousands of satellites into near-Earth orbit, with plans for up to 42,000 satellites in the future.
Astronomers express concerns about the potential interference with astronomical observations, while space safety experts consider Starlink satellites to be a significant collision risk in Earth's orbit.
Furthermore, the lifespan of SpaceX Internet satellites, around five years, raises worries about potential atmospheric impacts if abandoned satellites crash and burn upon re-entry. Scientists are closely monitoring the situation to better understand the consequences on Earth's climate.
Europe's IRIS² project aims to challenge SpaceX by creating its own satellite network for secure internet connectivity. Led by major European space and telecommunications companies, the initiative seeks to provide comprehensive network communications services throughout Europe and extend internet connectivity to Africa.
With an estimated cost of $6.6 billion, the project plans to be operational by 2027, integrating with existing European satellite systems to reduce space congestion risks.
However, SpaceX's vast satellite network of over 4,300 operational satellites, with plans for up to 42,000 in the future, poses challenges. Astronomers raise concerns about interference with astronomical observations, and experts highlight the collision risk and potential atmospheric impacts of SpaceX's satellites.
