Belgian startup Aerospacelab selected to build 264 satellites for EU's IRIS² LEO segment
The European Commission selected Belgian firm Aerospacelab as a lead contractor for the low Earth orbit segment of the IRIS² programme, tasking it with building 264 satellites. Aerospacelab, founded in 2018, said it will construct a new megafactory to meet production requirements. Airbus Defence and Space also received separate IRIS² work.
Why it matters: A 2018 startup beating established primes for the biggest EU space order in years signals Brussels is serious about disrupting its own industrial base — or that legacy suppliers couldn't meet the delivery timeline.
AerospacelabEuropean CommissionAirbus Defence and Space Hartpunkt →Europaeische Sicherheit & Technik →