IRIS²: Europe’s Sovereign Network or SES Satellites’s Sovereign Jackpot? Brussels is buzzing as the #SpaceRISE consortium signs the deal to build IRIS², a 290-satellite communications network that promises to catapult Europe into the 2030s—because apparently, the 2020s are overrated. With SES Satellites Eutelsat Group, and Hispasat at the helm, backed by the European Commission and European Space Agency - ESA, one thing is clear: this is a masterclass in leveraging public funding for private gain. Let’s talk about those buzzwords: "secure," "cost-effective," and "reliable." Translation? “We need public money to make this work.” SES practically screams, “Thank you, EU taxpayers, for helping us expand our MEO architecture while shielding us from pesky competitors.” Cost-effective? Sure, if the "cost" is front-loaded with government grants and the "effective" part is SES shareholders cashing in. The 2030 delivery timeline is ambitious—or as some might say, leisurely. In a world where SpaceX Starlink launches satellites faster than your Netflix downloads, IRIS²’s eight-year runway is the aerospace equivalent of arriving fashionably late to a party. But hey, that gives SES plenty of time to perfect the art of PR spin. Of course, this isn’t just about SES. It’s about Europe flexing its geopolitical muscles. IRIS² is less about serving EU citizens and more about giving Elon Musk and the Americans a polite middle finger. After all, nothing screams “sovereignty” like a publicly-funded network that’s practically a decade away from being operational. But let’s give credit where it’s due: SES has played its cards brilliantly. With public funding and a guaranteed EU customer, this project is a financial no-brainer for them. Whether or not it’s a win for Europe’s digital autonomy—or its taxpayers—is a question for 2030. Until then, let’s raise a toast to IRIS²: the project that proves if you can’t compete, just regulate, subsidize, and declare victory. Cheers!
Angus D.
4mo
Welcomed the news earlier, but history has taught us that subsidies serve to only encourage more subsidies. Without a Rottweiler managing these handouts and real consequences for those charged with delivering, this will go the same way as every other failed government intervention. There is simply no one like Musk in Europe with the money or patriotic determination to actually deliver this at the same pace or willingness to risk it all to deliver.
Ironic you should appear to denounce public money to private operators and in the next sentence reference Starlink 🤔
Koen Willems
4mo
Public money is a given in the space sector... no public money no EU space program, no EU industrial technology base (EDTIB). For me discussion should rather focus on the priorities... public money should be used for the right objectives, being secure connectivity for government and defense users. To come up with a me-too solution (à la Starlink) rarely brings profitable and sustainable business without strong USPs. End-user feedback demands secure, resilient, multi-domain, multi-orbit solutions that improve interoperability for joint operations. Technology should be tuned to these requirements.
Syed M. Ahmed
4mo
Commenting for interesting read
Falk Bachmann
4mo
Yeah, go for it. We need more euro centric solutions.
mike hardman
4mo
Michaël R.C. De Coninck … time passes ! And then catch up is more difficult
Fred VANDINGENEN
4mo
I agree
Maritime Satellite Communications (LEO, MEO & GEO) and Satellite IoT
4moLove this