Addleshaw Goddard Advises Hispasat on €10.5b IRIS² Project

Addleshaw Goddard has provided legal counsel to Hispasat in establishing the SpaceRISE consortium, in partnership with Eutelsat and SES, as well as in securing agreements with the European Commission and the European Space Agency for the launch of IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security by Satellite). This €10.5 billion initiative is Europe’s first public-private partnership in the aerospace sector and represents a pivotal step toward creating a secure and interconnected Europe.

The IRIS² constellation will consist of 290 low-Earth orbit (LEO) and medium-Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, which SpaceRISE will design, build, and operate over the next 12 years. As a key contributor, Hispasat will oversee the design and operation of the ground segment, including all necessary facilities for managing the constellation’s orbital layers and connecting with terrestrial networks.

Hispasat’s participation in the project, with an investment of up to €600 million, will enable the Spanish satellite operator to expand its capabilities into non-geostationary orbits in strategically significant regions. This complements its current offerings and strengthens its position as a leading innovator in the European aerospace industry.

Roberto Pomares, Corporate Partner at the firm, led the advisory team, supported by Associate Rosa Chen. Commenting on the project, Pomares said, “IRIS² is a cornerstone project for the European Union’s communication security strategy. Hispasat’s involvement reinforces its standing as one of Europe’s leading aerospace companies. It has been a privilege to support them throughout this groundbreaking initiative.”

Hispasat, a Redeia subsidiary and a key player in the Spanish aerospace sector, is recognized for bridging communications between Europe and the Americas through broadband internet services. It also leads in broadcasting and distributing audiovisual content in Spanish and Portuguese.

This landmark project underscores the European Union’s commitment to building resilient and secure communication infrastructures while setting a new benchmark for public-private cooperation in the aerospace sector.