The Franco-Italian industrial group Thales Alenia Space has announced a major partnership with Eutelsat to develop the IRIS2 satellite constellation. This collaboration involves equipping 330 European satellites with secure communication systems under a contract worth over 3 billion euros. The agreement was unveiled at the Paris International Space Summit and signals a significant step forward in the IRIS2 project, which is backed by the European Union to strengthen Europe's digital autonomy and reduce reliance on foreign satellite networks. The IRIS2 constellation will be launched in two phases. The first phase, known as IRIS2² Layer One, will consist of 66 satellites that transmit data using the Ka band, a type of high-frequency radio wave ideal for fast data transmission. These satellites are set to launch as early as 2029. Airbus Defence and Space will be responsible for building the satellite platforms, while Thales Alenia Space will handle the communication electronics. The second phase, Layer Two, will include 264 satellites that use both Ku and Ka bands, with launches planned for 2030. These satellites will be built by Aerospacelab. The satellites will use laser-based communication links, allowing them to transmit data quickly and securely between each other. They will be placed in various orbits to increase the system's reliability and reduce the risk of service disruption. The satellites in Layer One will be positioned in low Earth orbit at an altitude of about 1,200 kilometers. Thales Alenia Space will be responsible for designing the digital components that handle data transmission for all the satellites. The company’s CEO, Hervé Derrey, expressed pride in developing these advanced communication systems for government use. The IRIS2 constellation is intended to be the first 5G network delivered from space, offering enhanced security and flexibility. Each satellite will be equipped with "active" antennas that can focus signal strength on specific areas, as well as custom electronic chips to improve adaptability. This design allows data to be transmitted directly between satellites in orbit, reducing the need for ground-based infrastructure and improving cybersecurity. The 330 satellites in low Earth orbit are part of a broader system, with 18 additional satellites placed in medium Earth orbit at an altitude of 8,000 kilometers. These will provide encrypted communications for government, military, and emergency services, while also offering commercial opportunities. The constellation will serve as a relay for other European space initiatives, such as Earth observation and navigation satellites. The project aims to reduce Europe’s dependence on foreign satellite networks like the American Starlink and Amazon’s planned constellation. The first satellites are expected to launch as early as 2029, with full deployment of government services anticipated by 2030.