The EU's cutting-edge secure satellite internet initiative, IRIS², has recently reached a significant milestone, with the formal activation of certain network components, granting member states access to this innovative system. Positioned as a pivotal endeavor in Europe's satellite internet landscape and envisioned as a rival to SpaceX's 'Starlink', the IRIS² project encompasses a constellation of 290 satellites, backed by a substantial investment of €10.55 billion. The project is slated for comprehensive commercial deployment by the year 2030.

At its core, IRIS² seeks to bolster the EU's strategic independence in the realm of space technology, diminishing its dependence on external satellite communication providers. This ambitious undertaking is widely recognized as a crucial step for Europe in its quest to assert digital sovereignty within the space and satellite communication sectors, marking a significant stride towards technological self-reliance and global competitiveness.