Not wanting to become completely dependent on non-European satellite support, the European Union (EU) has voted to approve the program IRIS2. IRIS2 will allow for the creation of an independent European low Earth orbit (LEO) flotilla of broadband and satellite navigation craft. As Advanced-Television.com notes, one of the chief reasons for the decision was cited as security.
The 27 countries represented by the EU expect to spend $2.28 billion on the project. Unspent EU funds from other projects, and an additional $3.72 billion from the public sector will fund phase one of the project.
“Today is an important day for the EU space policy,” stated MEP Christophe Grudler.
“For the first time, the European Union will have its own telecommunication constellation, in particular in low orbits (LEO), the new frontier for telecommunication satellites. Moreover, we set a strong example of this constellation, as it will be a model in terms of space and environmental sustainability. Now it is time to build these new satellites, and prepare them for launch!”
The initial launch of LEO’s will be modest, with the first six satellites expected to go up within the next year or so. Between 2025 and 2027, there could be as many as 170 IRIS2 satellites in the EU system.
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