ESA and Spain strengthen ties for secure connectivity

We rely on internet connectivity every day, from reading this article to sending money through banking applications, but how secure are these connections?

Now imagine the security and bandwidth of connectivity required for critical infrastructure such as national power grids or border surveillance systems. Ensuring these connections remain resilient against potential threats – while maintaining European autonomy – is essential. ESA is actively working to strengthen secure connectivity for European governments and institutions.

ESA works closely with the European Commission to support the development of the European Commission’s Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²) programme. In parallel, ESA is also supporting the development of technologies and complementary capabilities, namely the preparation for new services that could later be used within the operational programme itself.

Spain is the main contributor to Low-LEO related activities, as part of ESA’s programme that’s supporting and contributing to the EU secure connectivity programme, IRIS²; where the Element 3 of the programme was approved at the last ESA Ministerial Council in December 2025. The signature event – which took place during the third Spanish Space Congress in Madrid – further reinforces the country’s capabilities as Europe’s fifth largest space power. 

The Memorandum of Intent was signed by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and Spain’s Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant. During the signature, Laurent Jaffart, Director of ESA’s Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity, and Juan Carlos Cortés, Director of Agencia Espacial Española, were present.

Through the agreement, ESA and AEE intend to strengthen cooperation on the ESA programme related to EU secure connectivity. It aims at establishing a framework for exploring increased programme activities in Spain and foster closer technical cooperation between ESA and AEE. This includes the creation of a dedicated IRIS² Integrated Project Team in Spain, with particular focus on ESA’s Low-LEO layer activities.

Ultimately, the agreement opens the door to broader future collaboration in areas such as resilience, navigation, and connectivity.

Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General, said: “With IRIS², Europe is building the next generation of secure connectivity from space. Through this agreement with Spain, ESA is advancing the technologies and partnerships needed to ensure these systems are resilient, trusted, and under European control.”

Diana Morant, Spain’s Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, said: “Spain has stopped looking at the future with resignation and has started building it with technological and industrial ambition”, and expressed her conviction that “space must serve to improve the lives of those of us living on Earth.”