Europe is actively developing its own satellite-based internet constellation to reduce dependence on foreign providers, particularly the U.S.-based Starlink system operated by SpaceX. At the heart of this effort is the IRIS² project — short for Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite — which represents a strategic push for technological and digital sovereignty across the European Union.
The primary motivation behind IRIS² is Europe’s desire for full control over critical communications infrastructure. Relying on a private American company raises concerns about potential political influence, service interruptions, or decisions driven by U.S. foreign policy priorities. By building its own secure network, Europe aims to ensure that governments, militaries, and citizens have access to communications that cannot be externally disrupted or leveraged in geopolitical conflicts.
Security and resilience form another core pillar of the initiative. IRIS² is designed to deliver encrypted, highly resilient satellite connectivity capable of withstanding cyberattacks, jamming attempts, and other forms of interference. This capability is seen as essential for governmental operations, military coordination, crisis management during natural disasters, and the protection of vital infrastructure. While Starlink has demonstrated its value in conflict zones such as Ukraine, European leaders prefer a system they fully control rather than depending on “non-European capacity” that could be subject to external policy shifts.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has served as a powerful catalyst. The conflict exposed the vulnerabilities of relying on external satellite services, even highly capable ones. Although Starlink proved instrumental in maintaining connectivity, uncertainties surrounding U.S. support and potential changes in policy have underscored the need for strategic autonomy. In response, the EU has accelerated its space-based initiatives, including early elements of a secure satellite network, with Ukraine itself expressing interest in future access.
This project aligns with broader European goals of strategic autonomy in space. Similar to the Galileo navigation system and Copernicus Earth observation program, IRIS² seeks to build independent European capabilities and reduce reliance on non-EU providers. It also supports investments in homegrown launch vehicles, such as Ariane 6, to foster a more competitive European space industry.
Beyond security applications, IRIS² will provide broadband connectivity to underserved regions, helping bridge digital divides in remote European areas and potentially extending services to parts of Africa. The system is structured as a public-private partnership involving the EU, the European Space Agency (ESA), and industry players through the SpaceRISE consortium, which includes companies like SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat.
In terms of scale, IRIS² is more modest than Starlink. It plans for approximately 290 satellites — around 264 in low Earth orbit (LEO) at about 1,200 km altitude and 18 in medium Earth orbit (MEO) at roughly 8,000 km. The total estimated cost is €10.6 billion (about $11 billion). Contracts were signed in late 2024, with initial government services expected around 2029–2030 and full operational capability in the early 2030s. The project complements existing European assets, such as Eutelsat OneWeb, but maintains a strong emphasis on security over pure commercial expansion.
Europe faces notable challenges in this endeavor. The constellation will be significantly smaller and later to market than Starlink’s rapidly growing fleet. Critics point out higher potential costs per unit of capability, bureaucratic complexities, and competing national interests within the EU. Nevertheless, the initiative prioritizes sovereignty and strategic independence over immediate commercial competitiveness.
In essence, Europe’s push for a Starlink alternative is not primarily about matching consumer speeds or prices. It reflects a deeper strategic calculation: in an era of heightened geopolitical tensions, no major region wants to remain dependent on a single foreign provider for such a vital technology. IRIS² is Europe’s bet on securing its digital future on its own terms.
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