The information collected by the EU-owned satellites and the services they offer is a public resource available at no cost to everyone.
The European Union (EU) has launched an ambitious space initiative valued at €10 billion (£8.3 billion). It aims to build a network of 290 satellites to compete with Elon Musk‘s Starlink, thus further expanding the post-Brexit security gap with the United Kingdom.
This satellite network is designed to strengthen the bloc’s security for government and military use, especially given the growing cyber security threats everywhere.
The program’s primary audience is decision-makers, public authorities, businesses and private users, researchers, and nongovernmental organizations.
The program aims to serve the needs of EU citizens. The information collected by the EU-owned satellites and the services they offer is a public resource available at no cost to everyone.
Officials said that the United Kingdom, previously part of the Galileo satellite initiative, has not expressed any interest in joining the Iris2 projects, even though they are mutually concerned about defense and cybersecurity.
It aims to provide sublease communications capacity for commercial purposes as an alternative for Elon Musk’s Starlink network.
An official commented that they have not received any interest from their partners in the UK when asked about UK involvement, even when Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, is committed to creating a good relationship between them.
After Brexit, the UK has been focussing on its satellite programs. In August, the UK successfully launched its Tyche Earth imaging military satellite and made plans to launch another satellite in June, which is scheduled in 2027, to improve surveillance and intelligence capabilities.
Due to many technological advancements, the network of high-and-low-powered satellites will be able to deliver functionality equal to 1000 satellites in a mega constellation similar to Starlink.
Previously, Europe relied on a combination of state license systems to provide broadband in areas from Ireland to Eastern Europe.
The network enables communications for television, the Internet, defense, weather, and improved surveillance.
Before Brexit, the UK was part of an European Union space initiative, with British military forces to get access to the Galileo satellite network, which will start next year.
However, the UK government broke up its relationship with the program and decided it would be better for the UK to establish its competition with Galileo by launching two satellites.
The UK network involves Tyche, a military satellite launched in August to get Earth images.
Last month, the government announced plans to launch a new satellite, Juno, in 20027 to capture daytime images of the Earth’s surface to increase the UK’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
According to European Union rules, a third country can be part of the program by entering into a commercial agreement with any one of the three satellite operators for surveillance or cyber security services.
The operators are Hispasat, the Spanish satellite operator; SES, the Luxembourg-owned satellite network that gives Sky TV and other TV services to the UK; and Eutelsat, a European-wide network of former telecommunications-only satellites.
A third-party country also has the option to become a full member of the program by contributing funds.
After Galileo and Copernicus, Iris2 is the EU’s third-largest satellite program.
It was designed to solve the long-term problems that have intensified over the last three years by Russia‘s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and alleged cyberattacks across several parts of European countries.
It will involve two types of satellites that function in medium Earth orbit and low Earth orbit.
The initial communications for governmental and commercial use are anticipated to start in 2030 under the 12-year program.
All of the significant European companies, except for the UK, are involved in the program, including Italy’s Telespazio, France‘s Thales Alenia Space, Deutsche Telekom, and Airbus Defence and Space.
