Norway and Iceland joining IRIS2 is a massive win for European sovereignty — secure satellite connectivity that backs up critical infrastructure like Iceland's submarine cables is exactly what the continent needs. IRIS2 isn'tis just a communications tool; it's a strategic shield for crisis management, disaster response and secure government operations. Europe is building real technological independence, and that's worth every euro.
IRIS2 is a bloated, behind-schedule vanity project — $11 billion for only 290 satellites while SpaceX launches thousands for the same price is fiscal insanity. Eutelsat, Europe's best hope for a Starlink rival, is drowning in $2.7billions billion of debt and begging governments for handouts. Starlink is already blanketing the planet with coverage whilewhilst Europe is still negotiatingin budgetplanning linesmode.
There is a 50% chance that 12,400 Starlink sateliites will be in operation on Jan. 1, 2028, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
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