The EU has signed a contract to build a satellite network to compete with billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink.
The European IRIS2 project, with 290 satellites on LEO and MEO orbits, is to cost €10.6 billion (more than CZK 275 billion) and be fully operational in 2030. The consortium SpaceRise (Airbus, Deutche Telekom, Telespazio and Thales) is the contractor with a 12-year concession.
The system is designed for high-speed internet for public and governmental use and should provide the necessary level of security against cyber threats and enhance the EU’s competitive capability in space exploitation.