SES-led SpaceRISE signs concession contract with EC to deliver IRIS²
The MEO-LEO constellation system will be Europe’s preferred and trusted network of choice in delivering secure and reliable high-performance connectivity for governments, businesses and citizens.
Over the past years, secure high-performance satellite connectivity has become a strategic, critical asset in ensuring safety and resilience of the communications systems. The demand has only been growing in response to challenges such as climate change, cybercrime and geopolitical instability.
On 16 December 2024, the European Commission (EC) took a significant step towards Europe’s sovereignty and secure connectivity by signing the concession contract for the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²) with the SpaceRISE consortium led by SES. This partnership will develop, deliver and operate the European Union’s secure satellite connectivity system.
The multi-orbit MEO-LEO IRIS² will include over 290 satellites on various orbits and the associated ground segment, and is aimed to enhance Europe’s ability to respond to crises, protect essential infrastructure, and bridge the digital divide.
The SpaceRISE consortium of SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat is supported by a Core Team of European subcontractors from the satcom ecosystem. Key partners include Thales Alenia Space, OHB, Airbus Defence and Space, Telespazio, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Hisdesat, and Thales SIX.
Funded by a combination of EC, European Space Agency and private financing from the three satellite operators within the SpaceRISE consortium, the IRIS² programme is a public private partnership (PPP). Co-financing of the project will unite public and commercial interests in an unprecedented way, paving the way for continuous innovative solutions and platforms for the future. The system is expected to start providing service as of beginning of 2030.
Why the investment into IRIS²?
IRIS²'s multi-orbit network aligns perfectly with SES’s multi-orbit strategy, both which aims to deliver secure, reliable and high-performance connectivity services.
In investing up to EUR 1.8 billion, SES will design, deliver and operate 18 MEO satellites, and have access to a new constellation of LEO satellites.
SES's customers today are already enjoying services provided by our first and second-generation MEO satellites. IRIS² which will provide 100% pole-to-pole coverage will globalise MEO experience for SES customers and lay the foundation for our future space network.
IRIS², which will start service at the beginning of 2030, is well timed to provide next-generation MEO capabilities, allowing our customers to access carrier-grade connectivity with guaranteed data rates, scalable from 10s of MB/s to 10s of GB/s, and low latency anywhere on land, at sea, or in the air with the system’s 100% global coverage.
The expanded global coverage of the highly-secure and reliable MEO system will also allow SES to serve the increased needs of businesses such as telcos, cloud service providers, energy companies, airlines and cruise operators. IRIS²'s integrated network which will combine the best of satellites and terrestrial will also be the network for choice for governments around the world.
Download the investor presentation
Next Steps
The SpaceRISE consortium will host a dedicated Info Day to update the industry and potential subcontractors on the project’s current status, and present opportunities for new companies to join the IRIS² programme. For more information visit the SpaceRISE website.
The European Commission announcement on the IRIS² contract is available here
Read the ESA announcement on the IRIS² contract
Read more about the initiative and the previous steps on the way to achieving IRIS²
