Deutsche Telekom and Orange are in the mix to build and operate multi-orbit fleet of satellites
European space and telecommunications players have formed a partnership in response to the European Commission’s call for tender for the planned European satellite constellation Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite or IRIS².
The new constellation is intended “to bring a new secure and resilient connectivity infrastructure to European governments, businesses and citizens,” according to a statement put out by Eutelsat, and “bolster the EU partnership policy by offering its infrastructure abroad”.
The consortium will be governed by Airbus Defence and Space, Eutelsat, Hispasat, SES and Thales Alenia Space. The consortium will also rely on the core team of the following companies: Deutsche Telekom, OHB, Orange, Hisdesat, Telespazio and Thales.
Their aim is to create a satellite constellation based on a multi-orbit architecture that would be interoperable with the terrestrial ecosystem.
Smaller parties welcome
The consortium will encourage start-ups, ‘mid-caps’ and SMEs to join the partnership, to foster innovative and a “competitive European space sector where new business models will emerge,” the release claims.
The integrated team aims to foster collaboration among all European space players across the whole connectivity value chain with a view to enabling EU’s strategic autonomy through the delivery of sovereign, secure and resilient government services to protect European citizens.
The team will leverage synergies between government and commercial infrastructures. The teaming partners are also well positioned to provide commercial services to bridge the digital divide across European territories and to increase Europe’s global outreach and competitiveness as a space and digital power on the global market.
IRIS² will deliver resilient and secure connectivity solutions to governments to protect European citizens and will provide commercial services for European economies and societies.