欧盟将建立自己的卫星互联网星座

欧盟最近通过了卫星弹性、互联和安全基础设施（IRISS）星座的提案，该星座将通过多达170颗卫星提供宽带连接。

欧盟将发射自己的卫星通信星座。

2月14日，欧洲议会通过了卫星弹性、互联和安全基础设施（IRISS）星座提案

这一几乎一致的决定得到了603票的支持，只有6票反对。该项目获得批准之前，美国太空探索技术公司的星链通信卫星在协助乌克兰防御方面发挥了重要作用，俄罗斯的入侵凸显了欧洲安全、主权能力的必要性。

相关：太空探索技术公司的星链互联网卫星的10件怪事

IRISS将建设多轨道连接基础设施，在2025年至2027年间向近地轨道发射多达170颗卫星，并在中土轨道和地球静止轨道上进一步部署资产

欧盟委员会国防工业和航天总局（DEFIS）的一份声明（在新标签中打开）写道：“IRISS将很快加入伽利略和哥白尼的行列，通过提供主权、安全、弹性和成本效益高的无缝通信服务来赞扬他们，到2024年提供初始服务，到2027年提供全面运营能力。”。

该星座将专注于政府服务，包括国防应用，并将为整个欧洲提供宽带连接，包括当前的连接死区，以及整个非洲。

它还将建立在发展量子加密卫星和新的颠覆性技术等欧洲能力的基础上。它将利用欧洲主要航天产业参与者和初创企业。

欧洲内部市场专员Thierry Breton在一份声明（在新标签中打开）中表示，此次投票“标志着欧盟战略自主、数字主权和竞争力的历史性转折点”。

相关报道：欧洲航天局：事实与信息

俄罗斯入侵乌克兰：对欧洲太空计划的影响

星链卫星：关于备受争议的互联网大星座，你需要知道的一切

布雷顿补充道：“俄罗斯对乌克兰的军事侵略表明，在冲突情况下，天基主权和安全通信服务是多么重要。”。“由于高速宽带的发展消除了通信死区，加强了欧盟的凝聚力政策，这也改变了欧盟公民的游戏规则。”

欧洲议会已为该项目拨款24亿欧元（25.3亿美元）。欧洲航天局和私营部门也将作出贡献。

The European Union recently adopted the proposal for the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnection and Security by Satellites (IRISS) constellation, which will provide broadband connectivity via up to 170 satellites.

The European Union is going to launch its own satellite communications constellation.

The European Parliament adopted the proposal for the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnection and Security by Satellites (IRISS) constellation on Feb. 14. 

The nearly unanimous decision was backed by 603 votes with just six against. Approval of the project follows the high-profile role of SpaceX's Starlink communications satellites in aiding the defense of Ukraine, with the Russian invasion highlighting the need for secure, sovereign European capabilities.

Related: 10 weird things about SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites

IRISS will see the building of multi-orbital connectivity infrastructure, with the launch of up to 170 satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) between 2025 and 2027 and further assets in medium Earth (MEO) and geostationary orbits. 

"IRISS will soon join its counterparts Galileo and Copernicus and compliment them by providing sovereign, secure, resilient and cost-effective seamless communication services, with initial services by 2024 and full operational capacity by 2027," read a statement (opens in new tab) from the EU Commission's Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DEFIS).

The constellation will be focused on government services, including defense applications, and will provide broadband connectivity to the whole of Europe, including current connectivity dead zones, as well as to the whole of Africa.

It will also build on developing European capabilities such as quantum encryption satellites and new disruptive technologies. It will leverage both major European space industry players and also startups.

Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, said in a statement (opens in new tab) that the vote "marks a historic turning point for the EU's strategic autonomy, digital sovereignty and competitiveness.

Related stories:

European Space Agency: Facts and information

Russian invasion of Ukraine: How it's affecting Europe's space plans

Starlink satellites: Everything you need to know about the controversial internet megaconstellation

"The Russian military aggression against Ukraine has demonstrated how crucial space-based sovereign and secure communication services are in case of conflict," Breton added. "It also represents a game changer for EU citizens thanks to the development of high-speed broadband removing communication dead zones and strengthening EU's cohesion policy."

The European Parliament has allocated 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) to the project. The European Space Agency and the private sector will also contribute.