The European Commission has signed a major implementation agreement with the SpaceRISE consortium, officially moving the EU’s premier satellite constellation programme, IRIS², from planning into full-scale deployment. The agreement follows months of negotiations and establishes the roadmap for launching the next generation of Europe’s secure communications network. As part of the deal, the IRIS² programme will be expanded with an additional 66 satellites in low Earth orbit, increasing the total constellation to 348 satellites. IRIS² satellite constellation enters implementation phaseThe newly signed implementation agreement marks a significant milestone for Europe’s ambitions to establish an independent and resilient space communications capability. If the current timetable is maintained, the first IRIS² satellites are expected to launch in 2029, gradually bringing the new satellite constellation into service.