Europe Seeks Final Offers for €6 Billion EU Satellite Constellation to Compete with Musk’s Starlink and Bezos’ Kuiper
Europe is making its final push to secure offers for a €6 billion EU satellite constellation that aims to rival Elon Musk’s Starlink and Jeff Bezos’ Kuiper. However, concerns have been raised that the IRIS² system, initiated by the European Commission, could become outdated due to bureaucratic delays, missing out on the latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) even before its launch.
The European Space Agency announced on Friday that it would be seeking final offers to develop the secure communications system, highlighting the role of Musk’s Starlink as a crucial backbone for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. The aim of the IRIS² project is to establish a satellite array of up to 170 satellites that will provide secure communications for European Union governments and offer commercial broadband services to under-served areas between 2025 and 2027.
Currently, the consortium of Airbus, Thales Alenia Space, Eutelsat, Hispasat, and SES is the only known bidder for the main IRIS² contract. However, critics argue that unless the system incorporates the latest advancements in AI, it risks becoming obsolete before its launch. According to former French air force chief Denis Mercier and ex-Airbus executive Marc Fontaine, who wrote an opinion piece for Politico, AI has matured over the past few years and is now ready for deployment in various fields.
The European Commission spokesperson acknowledged the need to incorporate AI capabilities into the algorithms of the IRIS² system, recognizing its potential in improving performance and adaptability. Advanced computing technology is already extensively used on the ground for data analysis, particularly by intelligence agencies. However, incorporating AI directly into satellites, known as Edge computing, could help reduce information overload and enable better response to potential threats such as jamming.
In response to the concerns, the European Commission has pledged to allocate 30% of the EU-funded portion of the IRIS² project, equivalent to €2.4 billion, to small firms. This move aims to foster innovation and support emerging businesses in the space and defense sectors. Nonetheless, a debate has arisen over whether traditional procurement processes are agile enough to embrace new business models that are emerging in the realms of space and defense, which increasingly emphasize the integration of software and AI.
The inclusion of AI in defense-related systems was highlighted recently by reports suggesting that Airbus is in talks to acquire Atos cybersecurity assets. While the Airbus-led consortium did not directly comment on the Helsing article, it emphasized that IRIS² would seek to leverage state-of-the-art technology and expertise from companies across Europe.
The European Space Agency assured that once the main IRIS² contract is awarded, smaller companies will gradually be involved in the project. Francisco-Javier Benedicto Ruiz, the ESA Director of Navigation, stated that this process would unfold throughout 2024. The satellite project presents an opportunity for European companies, including those specialized in AI, to contribute to the development of next-generation space infrastructure.
