IRIS2 is the European satellite communications program designed to compete with major players like Elon Musk's Starlink and Jeff Bezos' Kuiper.

The initiative gained urgency following the war in Ukraine, which underscored the need for a secure European satellite internet network.

Initially launched in November 2022 with a budget of around €6 billion, the estimated cost of IRIS2 has now surged to approximately €12 billion.

The public budget is expected to exceed €3 billion, with additional funding coming from private consortium members.

While the European Commission has not disclosed final cost figures, the project is supported by EU funding and contributions from the European Space Agency.

The European Commission plans to finalize a contract in December 2024 for the deployment of over 290 satellites as part of this sovereign broadband constellation.

The goal is to have the satellite constellation operational by 2030, although delays to 2031-2032 are anticipated.

Governments are expected to be the primary users of the IRIS2 network, although there are plans for commercial applications as well.

Key subcontractors for the project include Thales Alenia Space, Airbus Defence and Space, and telecom giants like Deutsche Telekom and Orange.

Despite progress on IRIS2, competition remains fierce, with SpaceX and other companies like Amazon and Telesat advancing their satellite broadband projects.

Although IRIS2's satellite constellation is smaller than Starlink's 6,000 satellites, it is positioned as a crucial communication tool for Europe, enhancing its independence in satellite communications.

This initiative aims to bolster Europe’s competitiveness against not only SpaceX's Starlink but also similar Chinese satellite constellations.