On August 31st, OHB signed an agreement with satellite operator SES to develop 18 medium orbit satellites for the European IRIS ² satellite constellation, with a total value of nearly 1 billion euros (equivalent to 1.16 billion US dollars). The single satellite weighs 2.6 tons and has a maximum power supply capacity of 15 kilowatts. The communication payload is designed and manufactured by SES, and the detailed technical parameters of the payload have not been disclosed by both parties yet.
The SpaceRISE consortium, including satellite operators SES, Eutelsat, Hispasat, etc., has been commissioned by the European Commission to carry out the IRIS ² constellation construction work. In addition to medium orbit satellites, SES also undertakes the research and development of user terminals and the construction of government control centers. This contract is the first satellite development contract for the IRIS ² project after the SpaceRISE consortium and the European Commission completed the "Rendezvous1" review on August 7th. After evaluation, the IRIS ² constellation has added 66 low Earth orbit satellites, expanding the total scale to at least 348 satellites and increasing the total cost by 50%, reaching 15.6 billion euros (equivalent to 18.12 billion US dollars).
The IRIS ² constellation consists of two layers of low orbit and one layer of medium orbit satellites, planned to be put into use by 2030, with the aim of creating an independent satellite communication system in Europe and reducing dependence on overseas systems.
SES relies on its own O3b medium orbit satellite system experience to lead the construction of the IRIS ² project's medium orbit portion. The company expects to invest up to 1.35 billion euros (equivalent to 1.57 billion US dollars) in the IRIS ² medium orbit portion. The IRIS ² project is funded by 4 billion euros (equivalent to 4.65 billion US dollars) provided by the SpaceRISE consortium, with the remaining funds raised by the European Commission, the European Space Agency, and member state governments.
