Aerospacelab Awarded €2.4 Billion Landmark Contract to Build 264 LEO Satellites for IRIS²
Aerospacelab has been selected as a key Prime Contractor for the LEO segment of the European Commission's IRIS² Programme (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite).
Building Europe’s Sovereign Satellite Network.
Following a competitive selection process with Eutelsat, Aerospacelab has been chosen to build 264 satellite platforms and deliver the fully integrated satellites for the SpaceRISE consortium.
The satellites will form the backbone of Europe’s sovereign, secure, and resilient connectivity infrastructure, targeted for deployment by 2030.
IRIS²: Europe’s Sovereign Connectivity Network.
IRIS² is the largest contract ever awarded in EU space history, joining major European programmes such as Galileo, Copernicus and Ariane in strengthening the region’s position as a full-spectrum space power.
The programme will provide governments, institutions, defence and security services, and citizens with a secure communications infrastructure designed to withstand foreign interference and disruption while remaining under European control and accountability.
"The selection of Aerospacelab for IRIS2 reflects a deliberate industrial choice, a defining moment for Europe as a whole. Institutions are now also placing their trust in a new generation of space manufacturers: companies like Aerospacelab, built from the ground up to deliver satellite infrastructure at scale and speed," says Benoît Deper, CEO of Aerospacelab. "At the heart of Europe, we have designed and are now completing our Megafactory: an industrial tool whose scale was built precisely for programmes of this magnitude. Waking up knowing that we are building Europe's strategic future is a rare privilege."
From Startup to European Space Power.
In less than a decade, Aerospacelab has grown from a pioneering startup into a major player in next-generation satellite manufacturing, demonstrating Europe’s ability to build world-class space capabilities through its talent, ambition and investment.
"This is a landmark award. This major multi-billion contract powerfully endorses Aerospacelab's expertise and ability to deliver mission-critical space infrastructure at scale and on time. Delivering the IRIS2 LEO segment proves Benoit and the team meet the highest standards of resilience and performance required for today's foundational communication networks,” remarks Mathieu Costes, Operating Partner at AV and Chairman of the Aerospacelab’s Board. "As Aerospacelab accelerates its growth journey, this achievement marks a pivotal moment. It propels the company into a new NEO-prime leadership position, uniquely equipped to answer the escalating global demand for secure, utility-scale satellite infrastructure."
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