EU Picks Belgian Startup Aerospacelab Over Airbus for IRIS2 Satellite Constellation

Belgian startup Aerospacelab won a €2.4 billion contract to build 264 IRIS2 satellites in low orbit, beating Airbus. Eutelsat OneWeb will reach 1,300 active satellites by 2030 as an interim step before IRIS2.

• Aerospacelab won €2.4 billion contract for 264 IRIS2 satellites
• Startup beat Airbus in EU sovereign constellation competition
• Eutelsat OneWeb to reach 1,300 satellites by 2030
• EU bets on serial satellite production over classic contractors