Italy is negotiating a €1.5 billion contract with SpaceX for government communications via Starlink, raising concerns about its commitment to the EU's IRIS² satellite project set to launch in 2029. Despite denying finalized agreements, ongoing discussions have sparked debate among politicians and industry insiders about potential service duplication and data security risks. Italy's role in IRIS² is crucial, as it will host the main operations center at the Fucino Space Centre, which is expanding to support the project. Critics warn that a deal with SpaceX could undermine EU efforts for autonomy in space and expose sensitive data. Article complet (Euronews.com)