TL;DR:
- Europe is soliciting final offers for a €6 billion EU satellite constellation project to compete with Starlink and Kuiper.
- Concerns exist about bureaucratic delays potentially rendering IRIS² obsolete.
- The European Space Agency seeks offers for secure communications, with a consortium led by Airbus as the primary bidder.
- IRIS² aims to secure communications for EU governments and provide broadband to underserved areas by 2027.
- Experts warn of the need to incorporate AI into satellite systems for competitiveness.
- Startups like Helsing disrupt the defense and security market, demanding agile procurement.
- Airbus explores cybersecurity acquisitions to enhance its defense capabilities.
- Europe’s ability to adapt to AI and evolving space tech will determine success in the global space race.
Main AI News:
In a bid to compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink and Jeff Bezos’ Kuiper, Europe is currently in the process of soliciting final offers for its ambitious €6 billion ($6.55 billion) EU satellite constellation project. Spearheaded by the European Commission, the IRIS² system aims to provide secure communications, but concerns have been raised that it may risk obsolescence due to bureaucratic hurdles before its launch.
The European Space Agency recently announced its intention to seek final offers for the development of this secure communications system, citing the critical role played by Musk’s Starlink in bolstering Ukraine’s communications infrastructure during its conflict with Russia. At present, the main IRIS² contract has only attracted one known bidder, a consortium comprising Airbus, Thales Alenia Space, Eutelsat, Hispasat, and SES.
This ambitious array, consisting of up to 170 satellites, holds the promise of ensuring secure communications for European Union governments and providing new commercial broadband services to underserved areas between 2025 and 2027. However, concerns have arisen regarding the potential for IRIS² to become obsolete even before its scheduled launch.
Denis Mercier, former French air force chief, and Marc Fontaine, former Airbus executive, expressed their apprehensions in a sponsored opinion piece for Politico. Both individuals are closely associated with the German defense AI startup, Helsing, which specializes in onboard AI software. They emphasized that when IRIS² was initially conceived, artificial intelligence was considered somewhat futuristic. Nevertheless, recent years have witnessed the maturation of AI, making it ready for practical deployment.
In response to these concerns, the European Commission stated that it is actively exploring the inclusion of artificial intelligence capabilities within the algorithms governing the IRIS² system. This move aligns with the broader trend of advanced computing being deployed to analyze vast amounts of raw data from space and beyond, particularly by intelligence agencies.
Furthermore, there is a growing recognition of the importance of integrating AI directly into satellites, a concept known as Edge computing. This innovation can help alleviate information overload for analysts and enhance the ability of satellites to adapt to emerging challenges, such as smart jamming. It is imperative that Europe’s IRIS² system incorporates this key capability to remain competitive on the global stage.
Helsing represents one of the pioneering “deftech” firms striving to disrupt the security market, mirroring the transformative changes observed in the space industry. The European Union has committed to allocating 30% of the EU-funded portion of IRIS², valued at €2.4 billion, to small firms. However, these developments have reignited the debate on whether traditional procurement processes can adapt swiftly enough to accommodate the evolving business models shaping the space and defense sectors.
Conventional procurement models typically involve the winning bidder controlling the flow of instructions to suppliers, often entailing lengthy lead times. Entrepreneurs argue that the convergence of defense, software, and AI necessitates a more agile approach, one that can embrace flexibility and innovation. As a testament to the growing emphasis on computing in defense, Airbus has reportedly entered discussions to acquire Atos cybersecurity assets.
While the Airbus-led consortium refrained from commenting directly on the Helsing article, it affirmed its commitment to leveraging state-of-the-art technology and expertise from companies across Europe in the development of IRIS². The European Space Agency (ESA) also clarified that once the main IRIS² contract is awarded, it will gradually distribute work to smaller companies, with this process extending throughout 2024.
In the fiercely competitive arena of space-based communications and defense technology, Europe’s success in launching IRIS² hinges on its ability to integrate cutting-edge AI capabilities and adapt to the evolving landscape of space innovation. Only time will tell if Europe can effectively navigate these challenges and secure its position in the global space race.
Conclusion:
The European Union’s IRIS² initiative reflects its ambition to compete in the space race, but concerns about bureaucratic delays and the need for AI integration underscore the challenges ahead. As disruptive startups enter the defense and security market, Europe must adapt its procurement processes and embrace cutting-edge technology to remain competitive in this evolving landscape.
