OHB Wins €1 Billion Contract for 18 IRIS² Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Satellites

OHB has signed a contract worth nearly €1 billion from SES Satellites to develop and produce 18 medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite platforms for the European Union’s IRIS² Secure Connectivity Programme.

The agreement is the first major contract awarded under the IRIS² concession.

IRIS² is being implemented as a public-private partnership led by the European Commission, with support from the European Space Agency - ESA and EUSPA - EU Agency for the Space Programme.

SES is leading the MEO segment of the SpaceRISE consortium alongside Eutelsat and Hispasat.

The IRIS² system is planned to include 348 satellites across low Earth orbit and MEO, supported by a dedicated ground segment.

The program is intended to provide secure and resilient connectivity, strengthen critical infrastructure and crisis response, and improve coverage in underserved areas across Europe.

OHB CEO Marco Fuchs said the program represents a step toward greater European independence in communications infrastructure. He added that the company is pleased to contribute 18 satellite platforms to IRIS², building on OHB’s previous involvement in European programs including Galileo and Copernicus.

“The contract represents an important step towards realising the next generation of secure and resilient communications infrastructure for Europe,” said SES chief product and innovation officer Dr. Xavier Bertrán.

Image Credits: SES