Belgium’s Aerospacelab has won a €2.4 billion ($2.8 billion) contract to build 264 satellites for the EU’s IRIS² secure communications network. The satellites are intended to serve governments, security agencies and commercial users by 2030. Aerospacelab will design, manufacture and deliver fully integrated low-Earth-orbit satellites, accounting for 76% of the planned 348-spacecraft constellation, through the Eutelsat-led SpaceRISE consortium, which is developing and operating the network under a concession deal with the EU.