European Commission and SpaceRISE sign IRIS² implementation agreement, expanding constellation to 348 satellites

On 7 August 2026, the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium signed an implementation agreement moving the IRIS² secure-connectivity programme from planning into full-scale deployment^[1]. The revised architecture adds 66 satellites, bringing the main constellation to 348 spacecraft, with initial launches targeted for 2029^[1].

What the expanded architecture looks like

IRIS² will comprise 330 satellites in low Earth orbit and 18 in medium Earth orbit, with optional elements available for specific missions^[1]. The additional 66-satellite layer is designed to improve resilience and support defence, security and emergency services^[1].

The Commission states the expanded design will:

• Increase secure governmental communications capacity by 60% within the EU and 54% globally^[1]
• Deliver connectivity services progressively from 2029^[1]
• Serve EU member states, defence and security forces, emergency services, and participating non-EU countries Norway and Iceland^[1]

The negotiations - known internally as Rendezvous 1 - began in January 2026 and confirmed the programme's key parameters: system design, deployment schedule, target pricing and the level of private investment^[1].

Industrial team and supply chain

SpaceRISE brings together satellite operators SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat as the concession-holding consortium^[1]. The industrial manufacturing team includes:

• Airbus Defence and Space
• Thales Alenia Space
• OHB
• Aerospacelab

Eight further European companies - including Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telespazio and Thales SIX - are committed as subcontractors for development work. The programme is also structured to generate opportunities for European startups, SMEs and mid-sized companies across the satellite, semiconductor and ground-infrastructure supply chains^[1].

One significant decision remains open: SpaceRISE is still running competitive dialogues between Airbus Defence and Space and Aerospacelab for the prime manufacturing contract on the LEO-High segment, which covers the 270-plus satellites forming the backbone of the constellation's capacity. That selection has not yet been made.

ESA will serve as Qualification and Validation Authority, overseeing development, testing and in-orbit validation to ensure the constellation meets its governmental specifications^[1].

Funding picture

The faster schedule and larger constellation require additional investment beyond the original concession framework^[1]. National contributions announced so far:

• Poland: €656 million
• Hungary: €500 million
• Spain: €1.6 billion-€2 billion (planned)

Further member-state contributions are under discussion. The expanded programme will draw on the EU's 2028-2034 budget alongside private operator investment^[1].

The next phase covers detailed constellation design, satellite manufacturing, launch procurement and construction of secure ground infrastructure^[1]. The Commission, ESA and the EU Agency for the Space Programme will work with industry to keep the expanded network on track for its first launches.

The prime LEO-High manufacturing decision is the most consequential near-term milestone to watch - its outcome will determine which European industrial prime absorbs the largest single work package in the programme's history, with direct consequences for satellite-component and semiconductor supply chains across the continent.