Italy Evaluates Satellite Options Amid Starlink and IRIS2 Talks
Italy is at a pivotal moment in its space strategy, weighing the construction of its own satellites against reliance on SpaceX’s Starlink services while awaiting the deployment of the European Union’s IRIS2 program. The Interministerial Committee for Space and Aerospace Policy (COMINT) released a report highlighting these considerations, noting that Italy may be underrepresented in the IRIS2 initiative, a planned public-private communication constellation designed for low and medium Earth orbit.
The report, which was obtained by SpaceNews and first reported by the Italian newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano, raises critical questions about Italy’s position regarding Starlink. In light of ongoing discussions with SpaceX, the Italian government faces a decision: advance with its own low-Earth orbit dual-use telecommunications constellation, known as “MERCURIO,” or deepen its partnership with Starlink while waiting for IRIS2 to become operational.
While the COMINT document does not explicitly advocate for a commitment to Starlink, it acknowledges the superiority of SpaceX’s offering in terms of immediate operational capabilities compared to the still-developing IRIS2. In January 2025, Bloomberg reported that Italy was negotiating a potential deal with SpaceX for Starlink services valued at up to $1.6 billion over several years. Although Palazzo Chigi, Italy’s executive office, denied that any contracts had been signed, it confirmed that talks with SpaceX are ongoing.
Exploring National and European Strategies
In March 2024, COMINT, alongside the Italian Space Agency (ASI), initiated a feasibility study for the MERCURIO project. While details regarding the satellite count and budget remain undisclosed, the initiative has progressed from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of development. The leaked report from COMINT noted the “clear superiority” of Starlink over IRIS2, which has yet to be fully realized and is considered less ambitious in scope.
The report also points out that Italian industry is underrepresented in the IRIS2 project, which comprises primary contractors from Luxembourg, France, Germany, and Spain. Italian firms Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space, which have partial ownership interests, are involved in the project. Both companies declined to comment on the implications of the report, although Thales Alenia Space recently reiterated its commitment to IRIS2, stating, “IRIS2 will be the ultimate in the field of telecommunications constellations.”
A source close to the COMINT authorities, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, clarified that the acknowledgment of SpaceX’s operational maturity does not imply a political preference or procurement decision from Italy. The source emphasized Italy’s dual strategy, aiming to maintain political independence within Europe while strategically aligning with the United States.
“The government’s line is clear: pro-European and transatlantic,” the source stated. “We support EU programs such as GOVSATCOM and IRIS2 for secure connectivity, to which Italy makes a qualified contribution in industrial, operational, and security terms.” Moreover, any interim solutions, pending the operational deployment of IRIS2, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Future Implications and Strategic Balance
While Italy appears to be considering Starlink as a temporary solution rather than a permanent alternative to IRIS2, the decision on whether to pursue a national constellation or lean on Starlink is expected later this year. The report concludes with reflections on the broader strategic balance between Europe and the United States, acknowledging that the EU will likely continue to rely on close cooperation with the U.S. in critical sectors like satellite telecommunications.
This situation reflects a fundamental tension in Italian space policy: how to achieve sovereignty, resilience, and innovation while navigating the complexities of dependence on U.S. technology and partnerships. Analysts like Ludwig Möller, director of the European Space Policy Institute, caution against jumping to conclusions too swiftly. “Today, de facto, there is nothing comparable to Starlink. If a country faces an urgent situation, they will turn to what is available. That is completely normal,” he noted.
Möller recognized that while Starlink currently stands out, the landscape is still evolving. “Starlink is the shining star today, but we will see more in the near future. This is still the early stage; it is like the internet 25 years ago. We can still build, as Europeans, our own capabilities.”
As Italy progresses through this crucial decision-making period, the outcomes will significantly shape its role in the evolving landscape of global satellite communications and its commitment to a strong, independent space policy.
