In a way this is the dry run for when IRIS² starts service in another four years or so, the European Starshield equivalent
In this case:
"GOVSATCOM is conceived as a “system of systems,” merging existing national and commercial satellite capacities into a common EU pool. The program is structured in multiple phases, and is pooling capacity from eight existing, already-in-orbit GEO satellites from five member states — France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Luxembourg."
What does this mean? Does it mean that these satellites were fully sovereign, i.e. under the full control of their respective countries but now the EU will be involved?
derelicta•46m ago