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Aerospacelab Wins IRIS² Contract for EU Satellite Constellation

August 8, 2026

1 min read

Key Takeaways

Aerospacelab wins landmark IRIS² contract.
Company joins Airbus, Thales, and OHB as prime satellite manufacturers.
IRIS² constellation to consist of 348 satellites.
Initial services expected to launch in 2029.

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Strategic Implications

This contract may signal a shift in the European space industry, with new companies like Aerospacelab playing a decisive role in shaping the continent's space sovereignty. The IRIS² programme could strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy and reduce reliance on non-European satellite communications systems, which suggests a significant impact on the global space market.

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What Happened

Belgian Space Company Joins European Heavyweights in Secure Communications Project

Belgian space company Aerospacelab has been selected by the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium to help build IRIS², the European Union’s flagship secure satellite communications constellation. The company will be one of four prime satellite manufacturers responsible for delivering the space and ground infrastructure required for the programme. This marks a defining moment in Aerospacelab’s rapid rise within the European space industry, as reported by Aviation24.be.

Source | Originally Published: August 7, 2026

Companies Mentioned