EU Launches Secure Satellite System, Aiming for Independence and Defense
The European Union has launched GOVSATCOM, a secure and encrypted satellite communication program, granting member states access to European-made technology for military and governmental use. This initiative marks a crucial step in reducing reliance on foreign space services, with expanded coverage and bandwidth planned for 2027 and the IRIS² constellation operational by 2029. The program aims to bolster the EU’s defense capabilities and readiness, with the Commission proposing increased funding for space and defense in the upcoming budget. Moreover, the EU seeks to enhance interoperability among member states’ space assets, emphasizing the importance of a unified European approach to defense, including the potential establishment of a “virtual European Space Command.”
John Q. Hosedrinker