Proposal for a Regulation establishing the Union Secure Connectivity Programme for the period 2023-2027

Summary:

Legislative initiative tabled by the European Commission on 15 February 2022, aimed at establishing a Union Secure Connectivity Programme (IRIS² / IRSS) for the period from 2023 until 2027.

Further information:

Both governmental user needs and satellite communication solutions are changing rapidly. An EU space-based secure communication system seeks to meet these increased and evolving needs, and aims to also include the latest quantum communication technologies for secure encryption. It is to be based on the development of innovative and disruptive technologies, and on the leveraging of the New Space ecosystem.

The general objective of this proposal is to establish such as system that ensures the provision of worldwide secure, flexible and resilient satellite communication services to the European Union (EU) and Member States governmental entities. The total cost is estimated at €6 billion. The EU's contribution to the Programme from 2022 until 2027 is €2.4 billion (current prices). The funding is to come from different sources of the public sector and private sector investments.

The draft Regulation was tabled by the European Commission on 15 February 2022, as part of a so-called Space Package. Member State representatives adopted a general approach on behalf of the Council of the European Union on 29 June. The European Parliament's relevant committee adopted a negotiating position on 13 October. An informal agreement between the co-legislators on a compromise text for this file was reached on 17 November.

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Commentary and Analysis

Euronews: My Europe, 15/02/2022: What is the EU’s new space plan and why does it matter? https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/02/15/what-is-the-eu-s-new-space-plan-and-why-does-it-matter

EPRS: Briefing, July 2022: Establishing the Union secure connectivity programme for the period 2023-2027 - Initial Appraisal of a European Commission Impact Assessment https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)730307

EPRS: Briefing, October 2022: EU secure connectivity programme: Building a multi-orbital satellite constellation https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)729442

Euronews, 26/10/2022: Europe's space sector hesitates between independence and cooperation https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/10/26/europes-space-sector-hesitates-between-independence-and-cooperation

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News

EurActiv, 15/02/2022: EU lays out plans for secure satellite communications https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/eu-lays-out-plans-for-secure-satellite-communications/

Politico, 15/02/2022: EU pitches broadband satellite plan https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-pitches-catch-all-cyber-secure-broadband-satellite-plan/

Reuters, 15/02/2022: EU lays out $6.8 billion satellite communication plan in space race https://www.reuters.com/article/eu-space-defence-idINL1N2UQ1D9

Science Business, 17/02/2022: EU launches plan for independent low-earth orbit satellite broadband communication system https://sciencebusiness.net/news/eu-launches-plan-independent-low-earth-orbit-satellite-broadband-communication-system

EurActiv, 13/10/2022: Leading parliamentary committee green-lights EU’s secure connectivity programme https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/leading-parliamentary-committee-green-lights-eus-secure-connectivity-programme/

EurActiv, 18/11/2022: Brussels to launch new satellite constellation for secure connectivity https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/brussels-to-launch-new-satellite-constellation-for-secure-connectivity/

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Official

EUR-LEX: SWD(2022)30: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal - Impact Assessment Report https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2022:30:FIN

EUR-LEX: SWD(2022)30: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal - Executive Summary of the Impact Assessment Report https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2022:31:FIN

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on Union Secure Connectivity Programme for the period 2023-2027 (2022/0039(COD)) https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=en&reference=2022/0039(COD)

European Parliament: Legislative Train Schedule: Proposal for a Regulation establishing the Union Secure Connectivity Programme for the period 2023-2027 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-a-europe-fit-for-the-digital-age/file-building-an-eu-space-based-global-secure-communication-system

European Commission: Europe Fit for Digital Age: Space: EU initiatives for a satellite-based connectivity system and an EU approach on management of space traffic https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/space-eu-initiatives-satellite-based-connectivity-system-and-eu-approach-management-space-traffic_en

European Commission: DG Defence Industry and Space: IRIS²: the new EU Secure Satellite Constellation https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-space-policy/eu-space-programme/iriss_en

European Commission: Press Release, 15/02/2022: Space: EU initiates a satellite-based connectivity system and boosts action on management of space traffic for a more digital and resilient Europe https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_921

European Commission: Questions and Answers: Secure Connectivity (15 February 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/QANDA_22_922

European Commission: Space and defence press conference by Commissioner Breton (15 February 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_22_1082

European Free Trade Association (EFTA): News, 17/06/2022: EEA EFTA Comment on the proposal for Union Secure Connectivity Programme https://www.efta.int/EEA/news/EEA-EFTA-Comment-proposal-Union-Secure-Connectivity-Programme-530361

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 29/06/2022: Secure space-based connectivity: Council adopts negotiating mandate https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/06/29/secure-space-connectivity-council-adopts-negotiating-mandate/

European Space Agency (ESA): News, 26/07/2022: ESA invites new proposals for EU Secure Connectivity programme https://artes.esa.int/news/esa-invites-new-proposals-eu-secure-connectivity-programme

Renew Europe EP Group: Newsroom, 13/10/2022: Towards full European sovereignty over space connectivity https://www.reneweuropegroup.eu/news/2022-10-13/towards-full-european-sovereignty-over-space-connectivity

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 17/11/2022: Council and European Parliament agree on boosting secure communications with a new satellite system https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/11/17/council-and-european-parliament-agree-on-boosting-secure-communications-with-a-new-satellite-system/

European Commission: Press Release, 17/11/2022: Commission welcomes political agreement to launch IRIS², the Union's Secure Connectivity Programme https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_6952

EPP EP Group: Newsroom, 17/11/2022: Deal on new EU satellite telecommunications programme https://www.eppgroup.eu/newsroom/news/deal-on-new-eu-satellite-telecommunications-programme

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