Belgium’s Aerospacelab and Thales Alenia Space have secured separate IRIS² work packages within the Eutelsat-led SpaceRISE programme developing the European Union’s secure satellite communications network. Aerospacelab’s €2.4 billion ($2.8 billion) contract covers the design, manufacture and delivery of 264 fully integrated low-Earth-orbit satellites, or 76% of the planned 348-spacecraft constellation. Thales Alenia Space will supply government payloads for 330 satellites under a tranche worth around €500 million ($582 million), part of a broader contract expected to exceed €3 billion. IRIS² is intended to provide secure communications for governments, security agencies, armed forces and commercial users, with the first 66 satellites due to launch starting in 2029 and the system targeted for service by 2030.