European officials and satellite company Sateliot met at the European Parliament in Brussels to discuss control of communications from space. The EU’s current space program, worth 14.8 billion euros, ends in 2027. For the next budget period, covering 2028–2034, the European Commission proposes setting aside 131 billion euros for defense and space within a broader fund for important industries.
Sateliot connects devices such as sensors and trackers in areas that ground networks cannot reach. The discussion focused partly on radio frequencies, which satellites need to transmit information. The Commission has proposed a single EU-wide license for certain satellite services. Its plan would reserve some frequencies for European operators and a secure system connected to the planned IRIS² satellite network.
Sateliot also plans to use Spanish rocket company PLD Space for a launch in late 2027. That mission would be entirely European, although the rocket has not yet flown. Meanwhile, Sateliot aims to expand its network to more than 500 satellites.
