IRIS2 and Beyond: Europe’s Vision for Tech and Innovation in 2024
Welcome to one of our last newsletters of 2024!?
This edition explores the EU’s €10.6 billion IRIS2 satellite constellation project, its role in securing encrypted communication and commercial opportunities, and a landmark €1.3 billion investment in semiconductor facilities under the EU Chips Act.?
Let’s uncover how these projects could redefine Europe’s tech landscape.
From Galileo to IRIS2: The EU Invests €10.6 Billion in Space Innovation
Last Monday, the European Commission gave contracts to advance with plans to create a 10.6 billion euro satellite constellation, responding to progress made by companies like Starlink, and other fast-growing internet networks.?
The idea is to build a multi-orbit group of 280 satellites, named “IRIS2”, which will provide an encrypted structure for EU governments and public agencies, aside from developing new commercial services.?
This is the EU’s third major project, after investing in the Galileo navigation system and the Copernicus Earth observation network, to monitor and research climate change. Although the process has been affected by disagreements over processes and costs, given Starlink’s progress, the European Union has given the green light to this project.?
Manufacturing companies Airbus and Thales Alenia Space will remain in the IRIS project, only as suppliers and not consortium members like before. The entire project will be overseen by the European Space Agency, operated from a control room in central Italy.?
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Aside from giving funds to the IRIS2 project, the European Commission has also approved funding of 1.3 billion euros for the Italian State, to help the government support Silicon Box, a semiconductor firm with headquarters in Singapore.?
The goal of Silicon Box is to set up a new semiconductor advanced packaging facility in Italy’s Piedmont region. Under the EU Chips Act, public money is provided largely by national governments, while the vetting of projects takes place in Brussels.
sureCore Unveils Cryo-Memory IP for Quantum Computing
In an exciting show of progress, semiconductor company sureCore has partnered with Sarcina with one goal: innovating in cryogenic IP design.?
Both companies have announced a series of cryogenic IP in 180 nm and 22 nm process nodes, and Sarcina created a package that can resist cryogenic temperatures. sureCore’s Static Random Access Memory (or SRAM), has a temperature range from 77K (-196°C) down to near absolute zero. This is fundamental for Quantum Computers.?
According to sureCore, both standard cell and IO cell libraries were designed for performing at cryogenic temperatures; supporting an industry-standard RTL to GDSII physical design flow, in order to have seamless integration.?
What do you think of these innovations? Let us know in the comments!
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