LuxConnect awarded €154m IRIS² control centre
January 16, 2025
By Chris Forrester

LuxConnect, based in Bettembourg, Luxembourg, has been awarded one of the IRIS² control centres.
IRIS2 is Europe’s mega-constellation of satellites and designed to provide ultra-secure communications for government and military purposes. It is managed by three leading European satellite network operators: SES from Luxembourg, Eutelsat from France, and the Spanish Hispasat. IRIS² control centres are expected to be installed in Toulouse, in the Southwest of France, in Fucino in central Italy, and lastly in Bettembourg, Luxembourg.
The LuxConnect location in Bettembourg was chosen to host the primary functions of the control centre. The Luxembourg government also allocated an area of two acres to the maintenance of antennae. LuxConnect will be made responsible for the upkeep of the infrastructures.
In terms of finance, a draft bill for funding outlining a budget of €154 million needed over a period of 25 years, was presented to the Chamber. The amount needed includes a yearly rate of increasing operation costs, estimated at 2.5 per cent. Equally included is the possibility to expand the control centre by 40 per cent.
“The existence of an IRIS² control centre in Luxembourg represents an important stepping stone for Luxembourg’s opportunities and economic growth. It favours the encouragement of high-quality competences and attracts academic talents”, stated Luxembourg’s ministry of economy.
The control centre in Bettembourg is beneficial for the global leader in satellite communications, the Luxembourgish satellite telecommunications network provider (SES). President and CEO of SES, Adel Al-Saleh, commented: “We are proud to have been entrusted this important contract by the European Commission, to be a trustworthy partner during this flagship project which aims to achieve the ambition of a sovereign multi-orbital network, securing the EU’s autonomy of strategic communications.”
“The IRIS² project is an opportunity to strengthen Luxembourg’s communication ability, as well as its foundation of quantum technologies. Furthermore, it is a strategic decision taken by the government to turn the space sector into a mainstay of diversity supporting Luxembourg’s economy,” added a statement.