EU signs IRIS2 build contract for a 348-satellite constellation

The European Commission signed the Rendezvous 1 implementation agreement with the SpaceRISE consortium on 7 August 2026 [3][5][7]. IRIS2 is now a build order for 348 satellites [3][7].

European governments, defence ministries and emergency services currently buy secure connectivity from commercial providers. They now have a publicly funded sovereign alternative on order. The award also redirects a large slice of European space spending to Hispasat, Eutelsat, SES and their subcontractors [3][4]. The Commission frames IRIS2 as a response to Starlink and other commercial networks, promising "sovereign, secure and highly reliable connectivity" for governments, defence forces and emergency services [8]. Total investment is €15.6 billion, including €4 billion from SpaceRISE, the consortium of Eutelsat, SES and Hispasat [4]. Andrius Kubilius, the Commissioner for Defence and Space, called the signing "a decisive step forward for Europe's security and digital sovereignty" [1][3].

Two questions stay open: who builds the largest satellite block, and how the funding gap after 2027 gets closed [3][5]. First launches are targeted for 2029 [5].

A bigger constellation than the contract specified

The confirmed total for the constellation is 348 satellites [3][7].

The Commission lists 330 satellites in low Earth orbit and 18 in medium Earth orbit, plus 66 high-capacity LEO satellites for defence and emergency response [1][3]. It says the expansion raises secure governmental communications capacity by 60% within the EU and 54% globally [1][3][5]. The size of the jump depends on the baseline. Anadolu Agency reported a rise from 282 satellites to 348 [5], while TechTimes said the December 2024 concession contract specified 290 [3]. Reuters put total investment at €15.6 billion, including €4 billion from SpaceRISE [4]. KeepTrack's space brief described a 20-satellite very-low-orbit segment led by Hispasat [2].

Hispasat takes the ground segment

Spain's Indra said its 89.68%-owned satellite operator Hispasat won the ground contract [4]. Hispasat will supply antennas, control systems and ground links on a budget above €1.6 billion ($1.74 billion) [4]. It will also lead a low Earth orbit layer for direct-to-device and Internet of Things connectivity, with up to €600 million committed [4]. That is the biggest such budget in European Commission programme history [3]. Hispasat chief executive Luis Mayo called the role "the largest and most complex system developed to date in Europe for a space programme" [3].

ESA will referee the build [3]. Director general Josef Aschbacher said the agency will act as qualification and validation authority [3].

Member states put money in

National contributions sit on top of the EU budget [5]. Poland has committed €656 million ($756 million), Hungary €500 million ($576 million) and Spain has announced €1.6 billion to €2 billion ($1.8 billion to $2.3 billion) [5]. The Commission said the accelerated deployment will need additional EU budget funding for 2028-2034, plus contributions from member states and participating third countries [5].

Norway and Iceland are among the participating countries [5].

What happens next

First satellite launches are targeted for 2029 [5]. The constellation is due to enter service in 2030 [4]. Airbus, Thales, OHB and Aerospacelab are among the industrial team now starting space and ground work [1][3].

The biggest manufacturing decision is still open. SpaceRISE is running competitive dialogues between Airbus Defence and Space and Belgium's Aerospacelab for the LEO-High prime contract [3]. That block covers the 270-plus satellites forming the backbone of capacity, and the selection remains pending [3].