GOVSATCOM
The GOVSATCOM initiative delivers secure satellite communications for government civil and defence users across Europe. It streamlines access to connectivity capabilities, bridging the gap until IRIS² is fully deployed.
GOVSATCOM in a nutshell
GOVSATCOM is the satellite communications component of the Union Space programme. It is operational since January 2026. The system provides secure satellite communications to government-authorised users when reliability and security are critical.
GOVSATCOM pools existing satellite communication resources from Member States and trusted commercial providers. Authorised users, such as civil protection authorities, border guards, or military operators, access these resources through a secure GOVSATCOM Hub, which connects them to available satellite services and manages demand and supply.
Why is GOVSATCOM important for the Union?
GOVSATCOM is important because it ensures that EU and national authorities have secure and reliable communications when it matters most. Security and emergency actors such as civil protection services, border guards, and defence authorities must be able to always communicate, including during natural disasters, cyber-attacks, crises, or conflicts. In many of these situations, ground networks may be unavailable, either because they do not exist in remote areas or at sea, or because they have been disrupted.
By creating a common European marketplace for satellite communication services, GOVSATCOM connects authorised governmental users with available satellite capacity from Member States and trusted commercial providers.
GOVSATCOM services
GOVSATCOM is operational since January 2026. Main applications include:
Who contributes to GOVSATCOM?
GOVSATCOM is built on the principle of pooling and sharing satellite communication capacities from EU Member States and trusted commercial partners. Currently five Member States (France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain) contribute with their governmental or military satellite systems so that all EU Member States can access secure communications when needed.
The European Commission is the programme manager of GOVSATCOM while the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) ensures service provision through the GOVSATCOM Hub.
What does the future hold for GOVSATCOM?
From 2026 to 2028, the GOVSATCOM Hub will be upgraded as the system transitions towards Full Operational Capability. In 2027, the resource catalogue will be expanded to include services from commercial satellite communication providers. By 2029, GOVSATCOM is expected to reach Final Operational Capability.