German start-ups to work on European satellite network

The European Union wants to become more independent of the satellite networks of other countries. Mynaric and Isar Aerospace, among others, are to help with this.

The European Commission has commissioned the UN:IO consortium led by Mynaric, Isar Aerospace and Reflex Aerospace to work on a European satellite network. Within six months, the consortium of around twenty European start-ups and medium-sized companies is to present a concept. The European Commission is supporting the project with €1.4 million.

"We are extremely proud that the European Commission has selected our consortium to create the infrastructure for an independent, European satellite network," says Mynaric CEO Bulent Altan. With the satellite network, the European Union wants to catch up with China and Russia. It should meet the criteria of the "Green Deal" and make Europe more independent from the satellite services of other countries.

UN:IO is already working on hardware with its own financial resources and outside capital. The consortium aims to launch a prototype into space as early as 2023. By 2025, the European satellite network should be completed. Thanks to quantum cryptographic processes, the satellite network should be particularly secure against hacker attacks. The consortium wants to use laser technology for fast data transmission. At the end of the life cycle, the satellites are to be brought back to earth with a braking sail.