Von der Leyen sets out IRIS² expansion and private investment drive to reduce Europe’s reliance on non-European satellite systems

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined four priorities for European space policy: strategic autonomy, industrial competitiveness, ecosystem resilience and stronger governance. She said the EU would reinforce its planned IRIS² secure-connectivity constellation, which is intended to provide resilient links for governments, emergency services, critical infrastructure and remote areas, with several member states pledging additional funding. The strategy also couples an EU Space Act with efforts to attract private capital into innovative launch and transport systems and preserve independent access to orbit. No revised constellation size, deployment schedule, aggregate funding increase or new supplier award accompanied the policy announcement.