European satellite operator Eutelsat has signed a major launch agreement with French space startup Maia Space strengthening Europe’s push to compete with U.S. space dominance led by SpaceX.
The multi launch deal announced Friday will support the future deployment of Eutelsat’s low Earth orbit satellites with launches scheduled to begin in 2027. Maia Space is a subsidiary of Ariane Group Europe’s largest rocket manufacturer marking a significant step toward building an independent European launch capability.
Eutelsat says the agreement adds a critical alternative to its existing launch partners reducing reliance on non-European providers. The company’s chief engineering officer Arlen Kassighian described Maia Space as a complementary option that strengthens long term resilience.
Eutelsat owns OneWeb currently the only operational low Earth orbit satellite constellation in the world besides Elon Musk’s Starlink. OneWeb plays a strategic role by providing secure internet services to governments militaries businesses and remote communities.
Because of that OneWeb is considered a strategic asset by both France and the United Kingdom Eutelsat’s two largest shareholders. European leaders have increasingly warned that dependence on foreign satellite systems poses security and sovereignty risks.
French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly called for Europe to step up its space strategy to counter Starlink’s dominance. Just this week he said France would accelerate the use of LEO satellite constellations.
Analysts say the Eutelsat Maia Space deal reflects a broader European effort to regain control over critical space infrastructure and narrow the gap with SpaceX in the rapidly expanding satellite internet market.
