OHB Wins €1B IRIS² Satellite Contract | European Space Strategy

OHB Secures Major Satellite Contract

German aerospace firm OHB has secured a contract valued at nearly 1 billion euros to manufacture 18 satellites for the European Union's IRIS² constellation. This project represents a shift in European space policy, aiming to secure high-speed connectivity while limiting reliance on non-European infrastructure. The agreement, signed with satellite operator SES, marks a significant moment for the project following a rigorous technical review conducted in August 2026.

These 18 satellites are designated for the medium Earth orbit (MEO) shell of the constellation. Each unit weighs approximately 2.6 tons and offers a power output of 15 kilowatts. While OHB will handle the satellite platforms, SES maintains responsibility for the communications payloads, terminal development, and the establishment of government control centers. This arrangement is part of the broader SpaceRISE consortium strategy, which includes European operators like Eutelsat and Hispasat.

The Strategic Goals of IRIS²

European officials view the IRIS² network as a necessary step for continental autonomy. The project is designed to provide secure, high-speed communication services for both governmental agencies and private users across the continent. By building a sovereign system, the European Commission intends to reduce its dependency on foreign-owned systems. The project timeline expects these assets to enter active service by 2030, marking a decade of effort to achieve independent space-based communications.

Total costs for the constellation now sit at 15.6 billion euros. This figure increased by nearly 50 percent following the Rendezvous 1 review, which added 66 additional low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to the original design. Funding for this multi-billion euro investment comes from a mix of European Commission grants, European Space Agency contributions, and individual national government budgets. The scale of the project remains one of the largest space infrastructure undertakings in modern history.

Industry Context and Future Milestones

SES brings significant expertise to the IRIS² program, particularly through its historical operation of the O3b constellation. However, the move to select OHB for these MEO satellites signals a shift away from American suppliers. Previously, SES utilized Boeing for its O3b mPower satellites and partnered with K2 Space for its separate meoSphere project. The choice to award this billion-euro contract to OHB ensures that industrial spending remains within the European market.

Technological specifications for the communication payloads remain under wraps. SES has stated it will design these components in-house, ensuring the system meets specific government security standards. As the project moves toward its 2030 deployment date, the focus will shift to launch capacity and ground segment integration. Observers should look for further contract announcements regarding the LEO portion of the network and the specific launch providers tasked with placing these satellites into orbit.

Europe’s ambition with IRIS² is to create a digital foundation that supports both civil and military requirements. The inclusion of MEO satellites offers a bridge between the high-latency requirements of stationary satellites and the low-latency needs of consumer broadband. If the consortium meets its internal milestones, the constellation could fundamentally change the reach of European connectivity. The reliance on regional contractors will likely dictate the pace of manufacturing as the project enters its production phase.