The European Union is accelerating the development of its own space infrastructure in response to the advancement of satellite technologies and American technological superiority. The program, named IRIS², aims to provide secure communications and to complement existing European capabilities in the fields of navigation and Earth observation.

The significance of this infrastructure for business, the economy, security, and defense was commented on by Kamen Iliev, Director of the Center for National Security and Defense Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), on the “Business Start” show on Bloomberg TV Bulgaria.

According to Kamen Iliev, IRIS² is part of Europe’s ambitious program to equalize its capacity in space, achieve its independence, and reduce its reliance on foreign capabilities, following the successful example of the “Galileo” navigation system. Today’s geopolitical reorientation dictates the necessity for Europe to develop its own capabilities for launching spacecraft.

The CINSO director also highlighted the technical challenges, emphasizing that the fundamental problem in space is radiation. Because Europe relies on a smaller capacity for satellite launches, it must take into account the need for the spacecraft to be more stable and have a longer operational lifespan.

The development of space capabilities is now directly linked to defense and security. Iliev pointed to the example of Ukraine, which clearly shows that without possessing operational satellite systems that provide information, ensuring the necessary defense is impossible. In conclusion, he defined IRIS² as “one of the pillars of European autonomy in space,” which will be accessible to both state structures for secure communications and the business sector.