The EU economy and society are undergoing a digital transformation, while geopolitical and cybersecurity threats increase, meaning Europe needs secure and resilient global connectivity. While NGSO satellite systems are rapidly gaining ground in the SATCOM industry, the EU satellite communications industry performed several (feasibility) studies from 2020 to 2022 for an EU space-based secure connectivity system. On March 23, 2023, the European Commission issued a call to tender for a contract to implement the Union Secure Connectivity Programme. IRIS2 will create a multi-orbital communications infrastructure, dedicated to providing satellite communications services to governments and commercial users.
