Europe is studying final proposals to launch a new satellite network. The project involves investments in the amount $6.55 billion to launch nearly 170 satellites. The initiative is designed to support communications among European Union governments and counter the growing influence of private networks such as Starlink, owned by Elon Musk.
A new constellation of satellites called IRIS2 (Infrastructure for Resilience, Connectivity and Security through Satellites) received the go-ahead from European authorities at the end of 2022. This Friday, the European Space Agency said it is already seeking final proposals for the development of the system. .
To date, the only bid for the IRIS² main contract has been submitted by a consortium formed by Airbus, Hispasat and SES, Eutelsat and Thales Alenia Space. The implementation of the satellite constellation is planned in stages, starting in 2024 and reaching full operational capacity in 2027.
The European Commission explained that there is a mismatch between government needs and the solutions available in the region regarding satellite communications services. According to a statement released in February, Europe wants to create a “safe, secure and diverse” system and not be dependent on “third countries.”
Europe’s new satellite network against the influence of Elon Musk
The war in Ukraine has clarified Europe’s main concern. The Starlink satellite network, a subsidiary of aerospace company SpaceX, was the backbone of Ukrainian communications throughout much of the war with Russia. And this allowed Elon Musk to take a privileged position in the conflict.
In September, it turned out that Musk had turned off the Starlink satellite Internet for Ukrainian underwater drones. He did it unilaterally just as they launched an attack on the Russian fleet in the Black Sea.
Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk recounts how senior Ukrainian officials begged the billionaire to reinstate the service. This also confirms that the owner of X (Twitter) had high-level conversations with officials from Russia and the United States during the crisis.
SpaceX has provided millions of dollars worth of satellite terminals to Ukrainians. And last month it reached an agreement with the Israeli government to extend its influence into the Gaza Strip. Israel called the agreement “vital” in the fight against Hamas.
Risk of becoming outdated
The coverage of the Starlink satellite system is impressive: it already has more than 4,800 satellites in low Earth orbit. It has the ability to operate in remote areas and already offers satellite internet to more than a million users in nearly 33 countries. Elon Musk’s goal, according to the permits his company has requested, is to place more than 30,000 satellites in orbit.
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, The company also plans to launch more than 3,000 satellites in the coming years to provide broadband satellite Internet connectivity. It has already launched a couple of prototypes this year as part of the Kuiper project.
Europe is trying to catch up, but its satellite constellation risks becoming obsolete before it even launches. “Despite all the promises of IRIS², it is missing a critical component: artificial intelligence.”highlight Denis Mercier, former head of the French Air Force, and Marc Fontaine, former Airbus executive, in an article published in the magazine Political last week.
When the program was originally launched, artificial intelligence was still considered a somewhat futuristic technology, experts say. In two to three years it will be possible to implement it almost everywhere. Artificial intelligence will be the key to ensuring operation, accuracy and safety of the European satellite system, point to Mercier and Fontaine.
Mercier and Fonain are linked to German defense artificial intelligence company Helsing, which specializes in software supply. “Will the EU and its contractors be able to adapt the program?” they wonder. This was reported by a representative of the European Commission. Reuters which has already considered the issue of integrating artificial intelligence. However, the big question is whether the bureaucracy can meet current needs.
Source: Hiper Textual
