Airbus Defence and Space has signed the initial contract to design and build the first layer of satellites for Europe’s IRIS² secure-connectivity programme for Eutelsat, clearing the way for development work to begin on the first tranche. The agreement was concluded in Paris during the International Space Summit, with first-layer deliveries scheduled for 2029.
Eutelsat, which is responsible for the low Earth orbit segment within the SpaceRISE consortium, has now enabled Airbus and Thales Alenia Space to move ahead on the first satellite layer. Airbus will produce the platforms and handle satellite integration, while Thales Alenia Space will supply the payloads.
The first layer comprises at least 66 satellites and will be built through Airbus’s serial-production facility in Toulouse. The contract is a significant industrial step for IRIS², moving the EU-backed programme from planning into satellite development and production, while leaving financial terms undisclosed.