European satellite operator Eutelsat has signed a multi-launch agreement with French space startup MaiaSpace to deploy low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites beginning in 2027, marking a strategic step for Europe as it seeks to compete more directly with SpaceX’s Starlink.
MaiaSpace, a subsidiary of European rocket manufacturer ArianeGroup, will provide an additional launch option for Eutelsat’s constellation, said Arlen Kassighian, chief engineering officer at Eutelsat. The company owns OneWeb, currently the only operational LEO network other than Starlink.
OneWeb is regarded as a strategic asset by both France and the United Kingdom — two of Eutelsat’s largest shareholders — due to its secure satellite connectivity for governments, defense networks, businesses and remote consumers.
French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly urged Europe to accelerate its space strategy in response to Starlink’s rapid global expansion. On Thursday, Macron said France would speed up adoption of LEO networks to strengthen European capabilities.
MaiaSpace is developing Europe’s first partially reusable mini-launch vehicle, a technology aimed at lowering deployment costs and increasing launch frequency. By comparison, SpaceX has leveraged its reusable Falcon 9 rockets for more than a decade, enabling over 9,000 Starlink satellites to reach orbit and facilitating development of its fully reusable Starship system.
Europe’s main launch system, Ariane 6, is not reusable. Eutelsat has recently relied on SpaceX and the Indian Space Research Organisation for satellite launches. OneWeb previously used Russia’s Soyuz rockets but terminated the partnership after Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Eutelsat, which acquired OneWeb in 2023, intends to launch 440 Airbus-built satellites in the coming years to expand and refresh its LEO network. Founded in 2022, MaiaSpace expects to begin commercial operations in 2026.