Europe Contracts for Own Broadband LEO/MEO Constellation

The European Commission (EC) and European Space Agency (ESA) have contracted with the SpaceRISE consortium of Eutelsat, SES and Hispasat for creation and operation of a 290-satellite low and medium earth orbit broadband constellation, SpaceRISE said Monday. The constellation "will be the preferred and trusted network for Europe in delivering secure and reliable high-performance communication solutions to the EU and its Member States as well as high-speed broadband connectivity for European citizens, governmental authorities and businesses, playing a transformative role in reinforcing Europe’s digital sovereignty, and low-latency connectivity." SpaceRISE added that the EC, ESA and EU member states will cover roughly $6.8 billion of the costs, or nearly 60%. Satmarin Exoflux's Michael De Coninck wrote Monday that the constelation's targeted 2030 delivery date "is the aerospace equivalent of arriving fashionably late to a party."