Nearly one billion euros for the 18 satellite platforms alone. The order placed by SES with OHB marks the start of the industrial phase for Iris², less than a month after the adoption of its new architecture. The German manufacturer will develop and produce the 18 platforms intended for the medium Earth orbit (MEO) component of the European secure communications programme. The press release does not specify the exact value of the contract, its duration or the delivery schedule. Nevertheless, this is the first major order awarded since the launch of the Iris² implementation phase.
Each platform will have a launch mass of approximately 2.6 tonnes and a maximum power output of around 15 kilowatts. It will provide the satellite with its structure and key service functions, including power supply, thermal control, propulsion and orbit maintenance. The contract announced, therefore, does not necessarily cover all the on-board telecommunications equipment. OHB has not identified the supplier of the payloads nor the company that will carry out the final integration of the satellites. Further industrial contracts are still required to complete the project.
A step towards European independence
“Iris² will mark another important step towards Europe’s independence,” says Marco Fuchs, CEO of OHB. He believes that Europe must have its own communication capabilities in an increasingly digital and mobile world.
SES is responsible for the entire MEO segment within SpaceRise, the consortium it has formed with Eutelsat and Hispasat. In early August, the Luxembourg-based operator reduced its maximum commitment to this component to €1.35bn, down from an initial estimate of up to €1.8bn. The revision reduces the budget by €450m, or 25%.
The order placed with OHB thus accounts for approximately three quarters of this new maximum commitment. It also confirms the central role of the German manufacturer, which is already a member of the industrial consortium formed around SpaceRise alongside Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, Telespazio, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Hisdesat and Thales Six.
“This contract marks an important step towards delivering the next generation of secure and resilient communications infrastructure in Europe,” said Xavier Bertrán, head of Products and Innovation at SES.
330 satellites in low Earth orbit and 18 in medium Earth orbit
The award follows the implementation agreement concluded on 6 August between the European Commission and SpaceRise. The negotiations, which began in January, focused on the design, capabilities, timetable, target price and investment from private operators. They have taken Iris from the planning stage to large-scale deployment.
At the same time, the project has been expanded. The main constellation will comprise 348 satellites, compared with more than 290 when the concession was signed in December 2024. It will comprise 330 satellites in low Earth orbit and the 18 satellites in medium Earth orbit, for which SES has just placed an order with OHB for the platforms.
The 66 satellites added in August are intended to strengthen communications for defence, security and emergency services. The European Commission estimates that the new architecture will increase the secure government capacity available within the EU by 60% and that available globally by 54%.
The first launches are scheduled for 2029, with services due to begin in 2030. The contractors responsible for the launches have not yet been announced.
