A space center in Italy is to host the main control center for IRIS2, the European Union's satellite constellation, the Italian Industry Minister announced, according to Reuters, Agerpres writes.
Fucino Space Center PHOTO: Shutterstock
The Fucino Space Center, one of the most important teleports for civilian use, will be expanded to include control operations for IRIS2, Adolfo Urso told a press conference.
The center already handles the European Galileo navigation and positioning satellite system.
The Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS2) constellation project will compete for market share with Elon Musk's Starlink network and Jeff Bezos' Kuiper.
The project includes a constellation of 170 satellites, which will provide communications for European Union governments and open new commercial broadband services for underserved regions in the period 2025-2027.
The deal is to be formally announced by the European Commission in the coming days, Urso said, adding that two other centers will be located in Toulouse, France, and Luxembourg.
Urso said that 50 million euros ($54.25 million) will be invested and 200 new jobs will be created at the Fucino center.
The Fucino center is owned by Telespazio, a company jointly controlled by the Italian company Leonardo, with a 67% stake, and the French company Thales, with the remaining 33%.
