EU plans satellite shift in Ukraine with Govsatcom and IRIS²
The European Union is preparing to replace Starlink in Ukraine by offering Govsatcom and IRIS² systems.
The European Union is potentially stepping up efforts to replace the Starlink system in Ukraine. As reported by Defense Express, a temporary satellite system, Govsatcom, is planned to be launched this year. This system will utilize existing European military and commercial satellites.
Reuters reports a contentious meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which American negotiators allegedly indicated that Ukraine's access to the Starlink network, which belongs to Elon Musk's company SpaceX, could be blocked. Musk, who also heads the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, denies these reports and accuses the press agency of slander.
Govsatcom will be a temporary solution; IRIS² is intended to be a long-term alternative
While Govsatcom does not plan to launch new satellites, it aims to provide basic connectivity. However, the existing satellites may not match Starlink in speed and power, potentially limiting their effectiveness. Nonetheless, Govsatcom could serve as a temporary solution.
The IRIS² system is expected to be a comprehensive alternative to Starlink eventually. The plan includes creating a new, more powerful satellite constellation, although this project is targeted for completion in 2030.
Other alternatives to Starlink
Beyond Govsatcom and IRIS², other systems like Eutelsat, Hispasat, SES, and OneWeb could serve as alternatives to Starlink. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are preparing for a possible disconnection from Starlink, and many specialists believe Elon Musk might follow through with this action.
