The upcoming European IRIS2 mega-constellation will have its master network control hub in Cologne, Germany according to a report by Heise. Some observers had expected Eutelsat’s OneWeb control centre, based in London, to provide security given that OneWeb is a major part of the IRIS2 system. The report, not confirmed by the consortium managing the […]

IRIS2 is Europe’s massive project to provide a highly-secure multi-orbit satellite constellation which will also compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink and provide safe and secure communications for Europe’s nations and military. The IRIS2 project has been described as ‘Starlink’s big sister’ and a true mega-constellation. But it has a very tight set of deadlines. The […]

For the past few years satellite operator has kept a very trimmed Dividend for shareholders of an annual €0.50 per annum, for each ‘A’ share held by shareholders. This past year this has been split into two separate €0.25 payments made in October 2014 and with the next due in April 2025. However, this low […]

The IRIS2 project for hundreds of satellites was confirmed December 16th with the signing of contracts worth €10.6 billion with the SpaceRISE consortium. The consortium, led by satellite operators SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat, is now contracted to build – via sub-contractors – and operate the new highly-secure fleet of satellites. The contract covers a 12-year […]

The European Commission and European Space Agency (ESA) are hosting a series of events in Brussels on December 16th connected with the IRIS2 satellite scheme. First there will be technical briefing with senior EC experts and Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General, as well as Laurent Jaffart, ESA Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications. IRIS² is […]

Paris-based satellite operator Eutelsat delivered its Q1 financials after the market closed on October 29th. They were positive, other than for its Video division which saw revenues fall 7.3 per cent. Its Video income now represents just 51 per cent of overall revenues, and while the continued decline in Video is disappointing, Eutelsat is doing […]

It seems, despite much confusion and the departure of Thierry Breton, the EC Commissioner with oversight of the scheme, a Plan B contract for the IRIS2 (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) highly secure mega-constellation could be signed by the end of this year. The reformed and much stripped-down consortium (comprising SES, Eutelsat […]

The ambitious IRIS2 satellite proposal for a constellation of European low Earth orbiting satellites is facing further challenges, not least from the German government. While not confirming the reported final cost of some €12 billion, a response last week to a question in Germany’s parliament (from the CDU/CSU group) talked about the break down in […]

Airbus Defence & Space and Thales Alenia Space, which were once part of the IRIS2 SpaceRISE consortium bidding for a mega-constellation of low Earth satellites, have submitted separate bids to build the satellites and submitted their proposals to the remaining members of the consortium, according to a report by La Tribune. The principal remaining members […]

Europe’s plan for a highly-secure orbital constellation, called IRIS2 (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) is widely accepted to be in trouble. Two key members of the winning consortium (Airbus Space & Defence and Thales Alenia Space) have already stepped down. The remaining members of the SpaceRISE consortium, formed specifically to bid for […]