By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The European Space Agency
(ESA) has signed 18 contracts in Madrid, Spain, marking a further step in
efforts to advance the European Union’s IRIS² secure multi-orbital satellite
constellation.
The contracts were signed by
Laurent Jaffart, ESA Director of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity and
Head of ECSAT, as part of ESA’s contribution to the evolution of IRIS², the
EU’s flagship secure connectivity programme.
According to Jaffart,
Europe’s connectivity needs are evolving, requiring corresponding developments
in the space infrastructure supporting them. Through Low-LEO, ESA is exploring
new capabilities and approaches for addressing these changing requirements
under its Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity.
The initiative is intended
to help IRIS² evolve into a more adaptable and resilient system capable of
responding to Europe’s future connectivity requirements.
Jaffart described the
contracts as an important example of European cooperation, bringing together
ESA, the European Commission and European industry around the development of
future satellite connectivity capabilities.
He said he looked forward to
working closely with the European Commission and European industry to translate
the ambition into concrete capabilities that can deliver trusted and resilient
connectivity for Europe in the years ahead.
IRIS² is being developed as
a multi-orbital satellite constellation designed to strengthen Europe’s secure
connectivity infrastructure, with ESA contributing to the development of
capabilities that can support the system’s continued evolution.
