SCIENCE · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
ESA Advances IRIS² Secure Connectivity Constellation
WHY IT MATTERS
This development will contribute to the EU's secure connectivity capabilities, enhancing the resilience of critical communications infrastructure and supporting European interests in a rapidly changing environment.
What happened
The European Space Agency has initiated the next phase of IRIS² evolution by signing 18 consolidation contracts with nearly 80 companies. These contracts will study new secure and resilient connectivity services, as well as associated mission concepts.
The goal is to shape the future of the EU's secure connectivity constellation, which will provide Europeans with resilient communications in critical situations. The contracts cover a range of activities, including Low-LEO (Low Earth Orbit) missions, to ensure the development of IRIS² meets the EU's needs for secure and reliable connectivity.
The agency aims to provide Europeans with reliable communications when and where it matters most.
PRIMARY SOURCES
ESA starts next phase of IRIS² evolution through Low-LEO activities
European Space Agency · ESA website terms; link and attribution only
CORRECTIONS & UPDATES
- Revision 1 · Initial ingestion · Sep 17, 2026, 4:15 PM
- Revision 2 · Source update detected · Sep 17, 2026, 4:15 PM