EU launches €10bn space programme to rival Musk’s Starlink
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UK not part of Iris2 project, described as ‘a significant step towards Europe’s sovereignty and secure connectivity’. The EU has launched an ambitious €10bn (£8.3bn) space programme with a constellation of 290 satellites to rival Elon Musk’s Starlink, further widening the post-Brexit security gap with the UK.
The constellation is intended to ensure the bloc’s security for governments and armies amid increasing global concerns over cybersecurity. Officials said the UK had not made any request to be part of the Iris2 project, which will offer sublease communications capacity for commercial use as an alternative to Musk’s Starlink network.
“It is a significant step towards Europe’s sovereignty and secure connectivity,” an EU statement said. Technological advances mean the network of high- and lower-powered satellites will provide the equivalent of 1,000 satellites in a “mega constellation” similar to Starlink.
Europe has been served by a combination of state-licensed satellite networks providing coverage from Ireland to eastern Europe. The networks enable TV and internet as well as defence, weather and border surveillance functions. Before Brexit, the UK was part of an EU space programme, with British armed forces due to have access to the Galileo satellite network from next year.
