EU bets €15.6B on IRIS2 as 66 more satellites join its space constellation
Brussels approves a €15.6B plan to expand the EU’s IRIS2 satellite constellation with 66 additional low-Earth orbit satellites, bringing the total to 348 (330 LEO, 18 MEO) with first launches expected in 2029. Spain’s HispaSat (Indra Group) is named the prime contractor for ground infrastructure and will lead the development of a vLEO layer, while SpaceRise partners Eutelsat and SES will support the project. The aim is to boost secure government communications for defense, security, and emergency services and advance Europe’s strategic space autonomy.