Applications and challenges for the future european constellation Iris2

On October 30, Brussels awarded the SpaceRISE consortium the contract for the European satellite connectivity constellation project Iris2. The Iris2 constellation, which stands for “Innovative Radiocommunications Infrastructure and Services,” is designed to meet the growing demand for high-speed connectivity services in Europe. This ambitious project, aimed at bolstering Europe’s digital sovereignty in the midst of a booming race for satellite telecommunications constellations, opens significant prospects for both civilian and governmental applications. However, numerous technical, political, and industrial challenges must be addressed to fully realize its potential.

Who are the key players in the Iris2 constellation?

Announced by European Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton on January 24, 2022, during the 14th European Space Conference in Brussels, the Iris2 constellation will eventually consist of 290 interconnected satellites positioned in three orbital planes (low, medium, and geostationary orbit). With a total budget of €10.6 billion, including €2.6 billion exclusively from European funds, the deployment will be handled by the SpaceRISE consortium. This consortium includes industrial and space sector players such as France’s Eutelsat, Luxembourg’s SES, and Spain’s Hispasat for satellite operations. The satellites themselves will be manufactured by Franco-Italian Thales Alenia Space, Germany’s OHB, and France’s Airbus Defence and Space. Telecom groups such as Telespazio, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Hidesat, and Thales SIX are also involved. The contract is expected to be signed by the end of 2024.

Under a 12-year agreement with the European Commission, the European Space Agency will provide operational support to validate the constellation in orbit.

A constellation for Europeans

The applications of the Iris2 constellation are divided into two areas: one for public services and the other for secure government communications.

Public Services:
Iris2 aims to address connectivity gaps in rural areas where high-speed internet access is lacking. This will help bridge the digital divide and could support initiatives such as remote education. Furthermore, the constellation will cater to the growing IoT (Internet of Things) market, serving both consumer applications like connected vehicles and B2B needs such as real-time logistics chain management.
Governmental Services:
This includes secure and defense-related communications. In the event of terrestrial infrastructure damage due to disasters, Iris2 could act as a backup. For defense applications, Iris2 would offer low-latency, high-speed connectivity, enabling collaborative combat operations. Systems such as fighter jets, frigates, drones, reconnaissance satellites, ground troops, and command centers could communicate in real-time without distance constraints. Iris2 may also serve as a cornerstone for major programs like the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), which integrates next-generation fighters, support drones, and a combat cloud. Moreover, Iris2’s network of 290 satellites, acting as data relays, could transmit satellite observation imagery globally in real-time.
This distributed architecture provides resilience against anti-satellite threats. For instance, a missile targeting one satellite would have limited impact as the remaining 289 satellites would continue to operate.

Securing transmissions

The European Commission has emphasized the “sovereign” nature of Iris2, underscoring the importance of secure infrastructures. The constellation is expected to leverage the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI), launched in 2019 with participation from all 27 EU countries. EuroQCI aims to create a Europe-wide secure quantum communication network.

Security must also extend across the constellation’s value chain—from design to launches and in-orbit operations. Using a European launcher like Ariane 6 would ensure secure encryption during satellite deployment, as encryption typically occurs when satellites are encapsulated in the launch vehicle.

Interoperability and compatibility

Equipping user terminals with compatible receivers is critical for maximizing Iris2’s potential. Progressive deployment, akin to the Galileo GNSS constellation, is anticipated. Ideally, civil applications should evolve towards multi-mode receivers compatible with various constellations (e.g., Starlink, OneWeb, Kuiper), as seen in GNSS systems. However, achieving this remains challenging in the competitive satellite telecommunications market.

Sustainability challenges

Iris2 emerges amidst a surge in satellite constellation programs. For example, Elon Musk’s Starlink plans to deploy 12,000 satellites; Amazon’s Kuiper aims for 3,200; and China’s GW project envisions 13,000 satellites. In total, over 30,000 satellites are projected to launch by 2030, a stark increase from the 1,700 active satellites in 2018 and the 10,000 currently in orbit.

This rapid growth poses challenges for space traffic management, with frequent collision risks. The February 10, 2009, collision between Russian satellite Kosmos-2251 and American satellite Iridium-33, which produced over 2,000 debris pieces, highlights these risks. Given Iris2’s planned orbital altitudes, mitigation strategies include: