Aerospacelab wins €2.4 billion deal to build majority of IRIS² satellites

Aerospacelab Wins €2.4 Billion EU Deal to Build 76% of IRIS² Satellites

Main Contract Announcement

Sept 10 (Reuters) - Belgium's Aerospacelab said on Thursday it had won a €2.4 billion ($2.8 billion) contract to build 264 satellites for the European Union's IRIS² network, which is due to offer secure communications for governments, security agencies and commercial users by 2030.

Details of the Satellite Manufacturing Allocation

Aerospacelab said it would be responsible for building 76% of the planned 348 satellites, the single largest disclosed manufacturing allocation for IRIS², offering a clearer picture of how the work is being divided.

Contract Value and Per-Satellite Cost

At the contract value, the award translates to roughly €9.1 million per satellite.

Project Partners and Consortium Information

The company said it would design, manufacture and deliver fully integrated low-Earth-orbit satellites through the Eutelsat-led SpaceRISE consortium, which was chosen to develop and operate the network under a concession deal with the EU.

Impact on the European Space Supply Chain

The allocation to the 8-year-old company also offers a look into the evolving space supply chain in Europe.

Recent Developments in European Space Industry

Last month, the European Space Agency selected Germany's Isar Aerospace to provide launch services for parts of its institutional missions, in a sign that newer entrants are taking a growing role alongside Europe's established contractors such as Airbus, Thales Alenia Space and OHB.

Additional Information

($1 = 0.8603 euros)

(Reporting by Maria Rugamer; editing by Izabela Niemiec and Milla Nissi-Prussak)