The project will allow Luxembourg to contribute to defence while also supporting the national economy, the Directorate of Defence shared in a press release. Similarly to its predecessor GovSat-1, the satellite will provide military communications between allies of the EU and NATO across the globe.
The French company Thales Alenia Space will build the satellite and launch it into orbit using a European Ariane rocket. The launch is scheduled for 2029. For GovSat-1, the Luxembourgish government had contracted American company SpaceX to carry out this task. This time, however, the government wants to rely on European partners, according to Democratic Party Defence Minister Yuriko Backes.
€300 million have been earmarked for GovSat-2, but the law authorises a total budget of up to €500 million.
