The planned IRIS2 highly-secure multi-tier satellite constellation is now being broadened and expanded. The European Space Agency (ESA) said it is prepared to reimburse certain costs in order to expand and develop their existing products and to scale up production. Much of Europe’s existing satellite component suppliers are small scale businesses. ESA said they need […]
SpaceRISE, the consortium of satellite operators SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat, has successfully brought into use Ka-band military frequencies through a dedicated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite operated by Eutelsat, one of many among the large fleets of multi-orbital satellites operated by the members of SpaceRISE. By leveraging ‘Ka mil’, a part of the Ka frequency […]
The SpaceRISE consortium which is building Europe’s ‘next generation’ of highly-secure satellites, has started the process of procuring its new fleet. SpaceRISE issued its Requests for Proposals’ on December 29th 2025 to industry suppliers for 272 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and associated launch services. The consortium comprises Eutelsat, SES and Hispasat. The current procurement […]
Laurent Jaffart, Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications at the European Space Agency (ESA), has spoken encouragingly about the UK participating in the EU’s IRIS2 super-constellation being assembled by the SpaceRISE consortium. Jaffart was questioned on the possibility of the UK participating directly in IRIS2 during the Westminster Forum’s ‘Next steps for UK space policy, […]
Japan’s satellite operator, Sky Perfect JSAT, is to triple its investment in its fleet and which will include diversification into optical and radar observation satellites in addition to its core DTH broadcast services. Isao Kubo, the company’s CFO says that the past 3 years had seen it invest some $489 million (€419.7m) in its fleet, […]
The EU-backed IRIS2 mega-constellation of super-secure satellites has seen the SpaceRISE consortium, which is managing the project, launch its first contest for the building of the 270-satellite low Earth orbiting (LEO) segment of the scheme. The two competing suppliers are Aerospacelab of Belgium and Airbus Defense & Space of France. The competition (‘competitive dialogue’) will […]
President Emmanuel Macron of France, in a speech to British parliamentarians, said the UK should boost its investment in space-related businesses. On July 9th he was meeting privately with UK Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer where it is possible that the UK’s investment in OneWeb could be on their agenda. Macron, in his speech, argued […]
Madrid-based Hispasat, a member of the SpaceRISE consortium building the IRIS2 fleet of highly secure satellites, is to issue its Request for Proposals (RFP) to the industry. The RFP is expected to include provisions for building ten or more satellites for the project. The ten craft would operate at 400-750 kms altitude. IRIS2’s 264-satellite LEO […]
Eutelsat’s newly appointed CEO, Jean-François Fallacher, speaking at the Paris Air Show, firmly denied that the satellite operator was in financial difficulties. “Let me correct a misimpression: Eutelsat does not have financial difficulties: No. Eutelsat has a need for financing. There’s a difference,” Fallacher asserted. “We need financing to develop the constellation and continue our […]
With the satellite constellation IRIS2, the European Union wants to improve Europe’s digital infrastructure with modern satellite technology. The project aims to build a powerful, secure and independent communication network. Above all, however, the satellite constellation seeks to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty. Deutsche Telekom has announced it now will support the project with its core […]