BRUSSELS, Jan 27 (Reuters) - The European Union's multi-orbit array of 290 satellites known as IRIS2 should be able to start initial communication services in 2029, marking an acceleration in the bloc's space industry efforts, the EU defence and space commissioner said on Tuesday.
IRIS2 is a response to Elon Musk's Starlink and other fast-growing internet networks and will have an encrypted backbone for EU governments and public agencies, as well as providing high-speed WiFi for European citizens.
