SpaceRISE is a consortium dedicated to fostering a resilient, interconnected, and secure Europe through space innovation. It is comprised of key European space and telecom companies including Airbus Defence and Space, Deutsche Telekom, Eutelsat, Hisdesat, Hispasat, OHB, Orange, SES, Telespazio, Thales Alenia Space, and Thales. SpaceRISE was selected by the European Commission to build and operate the IRIS² multi-orbit satellite constellation, a project backed by public and private funds that will provide secure and reliable high-performance communication solutions to the EU. Associated keywords: satellite constellation, secure communications, IRIS², European Space Agency (ESA).
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
The IRIS² programme entered its physical hardware acquisition phase following a €10.6 billion concession agreement with the SpaceRISE consortium.
The SpaceRISE consortium partners are responsible for the remaining 40% of IRIS2’s projected €10.6 billion cost.
The €10.6 billion SpaceRISE consortium is entering the final procurement phase of the European Union’s IRIS² program.
The European Commission selected the SpaceRISE consortium to design, deploy, and operate the IRIS2 system in November 2024.
The SpaceRISE consortium comprises Eutelsat, SES, and Hispasat.
Eutelsat is a founding member of the SpaceRISE consortium leading development of the IRIS² European LEO-MEO broadband constellation.
The European Commission selected SpaceRISE in November 2024 to develop and build the IRIS2 secure communications constellation.
Eutelsat is a core member of SpaceRISE alongside SES and Hispasat.
Goldman Sachs downgraded Eutelsat from Neutral to Sell in February 2025, referencing competitive pressures, a $3.47 billion debt load, and execution risks related to OneWeb and Eutelsat’s involvement in the SpaceRISE consortium for the European Union’s IRIS2 constellation.
The SpaceRISE consortium issued Requests for Proposals for 272 Low Earth Orbit satellites on January 5, 2026.
The SpaceRISE consortium, led by SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat, entered a 12-year, €10.6 billion concession agreement with the European Commission in December 2024.
Eutelsat is a key member of the SpaceRISE consortium and is participating in the IRIS2 multi-orbit highly secure satellite scheme backed by the European Commission and the European Space Agency.
The SpaceRISE RFP includes a requirement that roughly 30% of the satellite contract value must flow to small and medium-sized industry businesses.
Eutelsat is negotiating financing for its participation in SpaceRISE with sources including France’s Bpifrance and export finance agencies such as EK Export Finance.
The IRIS2 program as defined by SpaceRISE calls for 272 satellites in low Earth orbit at 1,200 kilometers and 18 satellites in medium Earth orbit at 8,000 kilometers.
The SpaceRISE consortium signed a contract to design, deliver, and operate the Infrastructure of Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS2) for a concession period of 12 years.
IRIS2 satellites under SpaceRISE are planned to operate with laser connectivity.
SpaceRISE issued Requests for Proposals to Europe’s satellite builders and launch suppliers on December 28, 2025.
In December 2024, the European Commission awarded a €10.600 billion contract to the SpaceRISE consortium, led by SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat, to build the IRIS² satellite constellation.
The SpaceRISE consortium includes SES, Eutelsat, Hispasat, and eight supporting companies including Thales Alenia Space, OHB, and Airbus Defence and Space.