The global race for satellite internet supremacy just got a significant new competitor. Eutelsat, the European heavyweight and chief rival to SpaceX’s Starlink, has announced a landmark agreement with French launch startup MaiaSpace to deploy its next generation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
This isn’t just a simple business deal; it’s a strategic move to secure European access to space and build resilience for Eutelsat’s LEO constellation, OneWeb. Eutelsat, which officially combined with OneWeb in 2023, is the world’s only other operational LEO constellation besides Starlink, making it a critical strategic asset for its major shareholders, the French and British governments.
The multi-launch agreement, which is scheduled to kick off in 2027, aims to help replenish and expand the OneWeb network. Eutelsat has ambitious plans to launch an additional 440 Airbus-built LEO satellites in the coming years, meaning it needs a steady and diversified launch portfolio.
Enter MaiaSpace, a subsidiary of Europe’s largest rocket manufacturer, ArianeGroup. MaiaSpace is developing the “Maia” mini-launcher, which is a big deal for Europe because it is designed to be partially reusable—a key technology that has allowed American rivals like SpaceX to drive down launch costs and increase frequency.
The Maia rocket is being hailed as Europe’s first reusable mini-launcher, a milestone that could help the continent gain sovereign control over its satellite deployment, rather than depending on foreign launch providers. MaiaSpace expects to begin commercial operations as early as 2026, with the first orbital flight planned for 2027, aligning perfectly with Eutelsat’s needs.
In its fully expendable configuration, the Maia rocket can deliver up to 1,500 kilograms of payload to LEO. More importantly, the rocket’s unique design, featuring an optional “Colibri” kick-stage and a partially reusable first stage, makes it ideal for the complex orbital maneuvering required to deploy and precisely position a massive broadband constellation like OneWeb.
Arlen Kassighian, Eutelsat’s Chief Engineering Officer, expressed enthusiasm, noting that the Maia solution is a “complementary launch option alongside our existing partners” that will strengthen the constellation’s operational continuity and resilience. Essentially, by broadening its options, Eutelsat ensures that if one launch provider faces delays, the continuity of its high-speed internet service remains secure.
The move is a clear response to the dominant position held by American launch providers in the space sector. By partnering with a cutting-edge, reusable European launch vehicle, Eutelsat and its government backers are making a firm statement: Europe is committed to building a reliable, homegrown alternative in the competitive world of satellite broadband. It’s a bold step toward ensuring that the future of global connectivity isn’t a one-company show.