A Belgian satellite builder is among industry partners selected to help roll out an ambitious new European satellite network.
Aerospacelab, based in Mont-Saint-Guibert (in the province of Walloon Brabant), will play an important role in bringing the EU’s plans for IRIS2, a new satellite network with the first deployments scheduled for 2029, to life. With this new satellite network, Europe hopes to ensure space sovereignty for its observations, defence and telecommunications.
To achieve this, they have selected the Walloon company – founded only in 2018, mind you – to contribute to the project among the ranks of major companies like Airbus and Thales. Aerospacelab’s exact responsibilities are set to be outlined in the coming weeks. What is certain is that the new IRIS2 network will include 330 satellites in low earth orbit, and 18 in medium orbit, overseen by strategic command centres across the EU.
Other Belgian companies may be taken on board in the months to come, but what’s clear is that the EU wholeheartedly trusts this Walloon satellite builder that is also finalising construction on Europe’s biggest satellite factory.
That’s one small step for Europe, one giant leap for a young Belgian company.
