Europe is stepping up its space ambitions with the launch of a new satellite network designed to rival Elon Musk’s Starlink, marking a major move toward securing the continent’s digital and communications independence.
The initiative, backed by the European Union and led by a consortium of leading aerospace companies, aims to create a homegrown satellite internet system capable of providing secure, high-speed connectivity across Europe and beyond. Officials say the project will enhance cybersecurity, reduce reliance on foreign networks, and strengthen Europe’s position in the rapidly expanding space economy.
The network part of the EU’s broader strategy for digital sovereignty will serve both civilian and government users, offering encrypted communications and improved broadband access, particularly in remote or underserved regions.
Analysts view the move as a direct challenge to SpaceX’s Starlink, which has rapidly become the dominant provider of satellite-based internet services worldwide. By building its own system, Europe seeks not only to compete technologically but also to ensure that critical communications infrastructure remains under European control.
The first satellites are expected to launch within the next few years, signaling the start of what could become one of the continent’s most ambitious space projects to date.
source: reuters.com
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