Italy’s space policy office has raised doubts about the country’s role in the European Union’s planned IRIS² satellite network. A leaked report also confirms that SpaceX has offered Starlink services to Italy, according to SpaceNews.com.
The questions come as Italy decides whether to invest in a national constellation, known as MERCURIO, or rely on Starlink until IRIS² is operational.
The document, prepared by the Interministerial Committee for Space and Aerospace Policy (COMINT), reviews the state of Italy’s space sector in 2024. It notes that Italian industry is “underrepresented” in IRIS², where main contracts have gone to Luxembourg, France, Germany, and Spain. Only two companies with partial Italian ownership – Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space – are involved.
The report also points to Starlink’s “clear superiority over IRIS², not yet available and less ambitious.” But officials insist this is a technical observation, not a policy choice.
Starlink on Italy’s radar for a while
Talks between Italy and SpaceX surfaced in January 2025, when Bloomberg reported a possible deal worth up to $1.6 billion. The government denied any contract had been signed but admitted negotiations were ongoing. In March, COMINT and the Italian Space Agency launched studies into MERCURIO, now advancing to its second phase.
Thales Alenia Space has restated its full commitment to IRIS², describing the project as “strategic for Europe to strengthen its sovereignty.” A source close to COMINT said Italy remains committed to both EU and U.S. strategies, seeking political independence in Europe while keeping strong ties with Washington.
Italy views Starlink as a possible short-term option until IRIS² is ready. A final decision on MERCURIO or deeper reliance on Starlink is expected later this year.
Analysts note the tension between sovereignty and reliance on U.S. technology. Ludwig Möller, director of the European Space Policy Institute, said: “Today, de facto, there is nothing comparable to Starlink. If a country faces an urgent situation, it turns to what is available. That is completely normal.”
But he added: “Starlink is the shining star today, but we will see more in the near future. This is like the internet 25 years ago. Europeans can still build their own capabilities.”
