ESA starts next phase of IRIS² evolution through Low-LEO activities
ESA has signed 18 consolidation contracts, bringing together nearly 80 companies to study new secure and resilient connectivity services. The contracts also cover associated mission concepts and are intended to help shape the future of the EU’s secure connectivity constellation, IRIS², which is meant to provide Europeans with resilient communications when and where they matter most. As part of ESA’s Low-LEO activities, the companies will develop relevant use cases and services and trade off different mission concepts, exploring how IRIS² capabilities could evolve as new European needs emerge.
The agreements were signed on 17 September at ESA’s European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Madrid, Spain, marking the start of a new phase of studies under the ESA Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity. The services being explored target governmental users and range from secure governmental broadband, maritime operations and aviation to data relay and tasking, among other areas.
The contracts are intended to strengthen Europe’s industrial base while giving smaller and mid-sized companies opportunities to contribute to the development and validation of new secure connectivity services through the Low-LEO layer. Subject to successful maturation and future programme decisions, the resulting capabilities could support a potential evolution of the main EU IRIS² system as user needs evolve. The contracts total €20 million and were signed by Laurent Jaffart, ESA’s Director of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity, together with representatives of the participating industry teams, at an event attended by European Commission representatives.
Jaffart said space is evolving rapidly and Europe needs to evolve with it; Low-LEO provides an opportunity to explore new ideas and capabilities, test them in practice, and learn from the results. He added that the ability to innovate, adapt, and build on experience will be essential for developing the next generation of secure and resilient connectivity for Europe, and that ESA looks forward to continuing to work with the European Commission and industry on the future of IRIS².
IRIS² is Europe’s initiative, under the overall responsibility of the European Commission, to build a secure and resilient space-based connectivity network. Its aim is to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy by providing reliable connectivity and reducing dependence on external systems. ESA acts on behalf of the European Commission as the qualification and validation authority for the governmental infrastructure of the EU’s Secure Connectivity Programme, managing development and validation contracts that support the initial space and ground segments.