On August 9, 2026, the European Commission officially completed a critical phase in the development of the plan to deploy the sovereign satellite constellation IRIS². The project, initially conceived as a response to technological dependence on external players, has moved into the full-scale construction phase. Following negotiations that began in January 2026, a final agreement was signed between key European manufacturers, the European Space Agency (ESA), and private investors.
Constellation expansion and new objectives
One of the main outcomes of the negotiations was a significant change in the system's architecture. Partners agreed to produce and deliver a number of satellites exceeding initial forecasts. Instead of the previously planned 290 units, the IRIS² constellation will consist of 348 satellites. This increase of 66 units is aimed at improving fault tolerance and covering areas that were previously "blind spots".
ESA explained that the additional satellites are critical for strengthening defense potential and security. According to the agency's estimates, this reinforcement will expand governments' capabilities to ensure security by 60% within the European Union and by 54% on a global scale. The system will play a key role in supporting critical missions during crises, providing connectivity where ground infrastructure is destroyed or unavailable.
Strategy against Starlink: quality versus quantity
In the context of the global satellite internet market, dominated by SpaceX's Starlink constellation with its more than 10,000 units, IRIS² may seem modest. However, experts emphasize a fundamental difference in objectives. While Starlink was originally created as a mass-market commercial broadband network for the civilian population, IRIS² is a tool of state sovereignty.
The primary users of the system will be government institutions of EU countries, as well as Norway and Iceland. The scope of application includes emergency response, humanitarian aid, border control, and the protection of critical infrastructure. Nevertheless, in the long term, access to the network will also be open to businesses and individuals in remote regions where traditional providers cannot ensure a reliable connection.
Launch timeline and investments
The agreement also fixed the target cost of the project and the volume of investments from private investors, resolving the funding question for the coming years. According to the approved schedule, the first satellites of the constellation are planned to be launched into orbit in 2029. Services to users will begin in the same year, allowing Europe to have a fully functioning, independent communication network by the end of the decade, free from American or Chinese analogues.
