ConnectedCosmos, a project unveiled by Open Cosmos on Monday, is a network of 192 satellites in low Earth orbit intended to support European sovereignty in secure communications. The system aims to provide a reliable network that does not depend on undersea cables or ground stations, offering an alternative to existing global satellite constellations. Based at the Harwell campus in the United Kingdom, Open Cosmos plans to have more than 96 satellites in orbit by the end of 2028, with full global coverage expected by 2030. This announcement follows a 300 million euro funding round earlier this month, placing the company in competition with systems like Starlink. ConnectedCosmos sends data through space instead of through undersea cables. Most of the world’s data currently travels through cables laid on the ocean floor or through ground antennas, which are sometimes seen as vulnerable to sabotage or hacking. ConnectedCosmos uses O-ISL, or "optical inter-satellite links," which allow data to move from one satellite to another using light signals. This method avoids compromised undersea cables and terrestrial infrastructure that might be targeted. It is also designed to function when satellite navigation signals, such as those from GPS or Galileo, are jammed or disrupted. For Open Cosmos, the main goal is to offer a credible European alternative to existing global satellite systems. ConnectedCosmos will act as a transmission system for the company's imaging satellites and will integrate with its Internet of Things (IoT) services, creating a secure chain from raw data to actionable information. Rafael Jordà Siquier, the company’s founder and CEO, says his service "goes beyond simple connectivity." He notes that the announcement of 192 satellites follows a long period of development but warns that this is just the beginning: "These 192 satellites form a foundation, not a limit." If customers need more capacity, the company promises to expand quickly. Open Cosmos is also exploring the possibility of connecting its network with other European satellite systems, such as IRIS 2, which is operated by different organizations. This would be similar to multiple networks sharing a highway, each maintaining its own priorities. ConnectedCosmos would act as the central hub, and the addition of other systems would make the entire network more robust, efficient, and valuable. A key factor in Open Cosmos's ability to pursue its goals is its recent funding. On September 14, the company announced a 300 million euro investment led by Lightrock, with support from ETF Partners and the Institut Català de Finances. The funds will be used to expand the company's satellite production and improve its connectivity and intelligence services. Open Cosmos operates four factories across Europe, including in the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, and Greece. The company claims more than 370 million dollars in contracts over three and a half years and has experienced five consecutive years of profitable growth. The first two satellites were launched in January aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket, and the next launch is scheduled for the end of the year. Open Cosmos is also in negotiations with several rocket operators for additional missions between the end of 2026 and mid-2027. To reach its goal of over 96 satellites in orbit by the end of 2028, the company will need to significantly increase its launch pace. While thousands of Starlink satellites and hundreds of Amazon Leo devices are already in low Earth orbit, ConnectedCosmos is judged less by the number of satellites it has than by the secure capabilities it provides.