IRIS2: Cologne to become the heart of European space security

European sovereignty in space is to be secured by a new network node on German soil. With the signing of an administrative agreement between the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space Affairs and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the starting signal has been given for an infrastructure project of strategic importance. The new Govsatcom hub is thus being established in Cologne-Porz – as planned on the grounds of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). This coordination center will form the backbone for secure governmental communication via space in Europe in the future.

NRW underscores the importance of the project with an investment of 50 million euros. These funds will flow into a facility that will serve as a central control center for the so-called pooling and sharing of satellite services. In a time of increasing hybrid threats and growing dependence on functioning data streams, the new infrastructure offers a vital fallback level, emphasized those involved. If terrestrial networks fail during natural disasters, are destroyed in crisis areas, or fail due to targeted interference, the hub guarantees that emergency services, security authorities, and diplomatic missions remain operational.

Technologically, the project is closely linked to the EU's major space programs. In addition to the program for governmental satellite communication, which gives the hub its name, the hub will also play a key role for the planned "Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite" (IRIS2). With this initiative, the EU aims to launch hundreds of satellites into orbit to ensure comprehensive and highly secure broadband supply. The Cologne site will serve as the interface between end-users and space infrastructure.

"The future is also defended in space"

For the federal government, the project is also a clear signal towards European self-reliance. "European space and satellite technology is unthinkable without Germany – our future is also defended in space," explained Research Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU).

From an economic policy perspective, the project is intended to provide impetus for the region. In addition to the direct strengthening of the aerospace cluster, the state government expects a pull effect for further innovations and the creation of highly qualified jobs.

After a year of intensive negotiations, the concrete setup phase will now begin. In the medium to long term, the hub is also intended to take over the planning and control of new quantum communication services via satellite within the framework of the initiative for a European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI).

The IRIS2 program is one of the EU's most important space projects. The Starlink alternative is intended to ensure the governmental European demand in line with the desired digital sovereignty and to be commercially viable.

(vbr)