BRUSSELS, Aug 7 (Reuters) – The European Commission said on Friday it signed an agreement with the space consortium SpaceRISE to expand the IRIS2 satellite constellation it is currently developing.
• The agreement adds 66 satellites into low Earth orbit to the programme, bringing the main constellation to 348 satellites, and moving it from planning to full-scale deployment, the Commission said.
• The constellation, a response to Elon Musk’s Starlink and other internet networks, will provide “sovereign, secure and highly reliable connectivity” for European governments, defence and security forces, and emergency services.
• The constellation is set to start operating in 2029.
(Reporting by Inti LandauroEditing by Tomasz Janowski)
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