Satellite communication constellations

As far as sovereignty is concerned, all layers of connectivity are exposed to geopolitical risk and supply chain dependencies, including satellite systems. The EU, for instance, remains heavily reliant on non-European satellite constellations. The Russian war against Ukraine has highlighted potential issues related to satellite dependency, as military and civilian communications were critically tied to the availability of the privately operated Starlink system. Another strategic issue for the EU is to guarantee autonomous access to space through cost-effective space launchers (also called ‘rockets’). Despite the EU’s efforts to reclaim its strategic autonomy in the sector (e.g. the IRIS2 programme), its satellite capabilities have advanced only modestly. According to the 2025 digital decade report, the number of currently planned EU satellites lags far behind China and the US.