IRIS2 schedule begins to slip

The EU, in giving final confirmation of its intent to deploy the secure, multi-orbit satellite network IRIS2, also disclosed a delay in service start from 2026 to 2027. The delay isn’t remotely surprising, given that contracts for new satellites have not been signed. Going from program announcement to first satellite launch took Starlink three years (2015-2018), OneWeb four years (2015-2019) and seven years for Iridium NEXT (2010-2017). If history is any guide, the IRIS2 program will be lucky to have any new satellites in orbit in four years, let alone starting service. More realistically, starting service in 2027 will likely involve pooling capacity from existing satellites, not unlike the EU’s GovSatCom program, an initiative that sought to make European military satcom available to member stations, but stayed largely a study project.

SOURCE: https://spacewatch.global/2023/03/eu-council-gives-final-approval-for-secure-connectivity/?mc_cid=eaf62003dd&mc_eid=c2e1303610