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Eutelsat Signs Launch Deal With MaiaSpace for LEO Satellites

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European satellite operator Eutelsat has signed a multi-launch agreement with French startup MaiaSpace to deploy future low Earth orbit satellites, strengthening Europe’s push to reduce reliance on SpaceX.

The deal, which begins in 2027, adds MaiaSpace as a complementary launch partner alongside existing providers, Eutelsat said. MaiaSpace is a subsidiary of ArianeGroup and is developing a partially reusable mini-launcher, a first for Europe.

Eutelsat owns OneWeb, currently the only operational LEO constellation rivaling Starlink. OneWeb is considered strategically important by France and the UK, providing secure connectivity to governments, militaries and businesses.

The agreement comes as Europe seeks to accelerate its space capabilities. French President Emmanuel Macron has urged stronger use of LEO constellations to counter Starlink’s dominance.

Eutelsat plans to launch 440 Airbus-built LEO satellites in coming years, while MaiaSpace expects to start commercial operations in 2026.

Eutelsat Misses Forecasts as Weak Video Sales Offset Growth in Government Services

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Eutelsat (ETL.PA), the French satellite operator and rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink, reported disappointing first-quarter results on Tuesday as a sharp drop in its video broadcasting division overshadowed solid growth in government contracts, particularly in Ukraine.

Revenue for the quarter ending in September fell 1.2% year-on-year to €283 million ($330 million) on a comparable basis, missing analyst expectations of €295 million, according to company data.

The company’s video segment, which still represents 47% of total revenue and reaches over a billion global viewers, declined 10.5%, reflecting a prolonged slump in satellite TV demand and the continued fallout from European sanctions on Russian broadcasters. French regulators recently ordered Eutelsat to halt transmissions of two Russian channels tied to sanctioned entities — a move the company said would cost around €16 million this year.

Eutelsat’s other major division, government services, was the standout performer, rising 18.5% year-on-year to €52.4 million, driven by defense and connectivity contracts in Eastern Europe. Chief Financial Officer Christophe Caudrelier told analysts that while demand for satellite broadband is growing rapidly, Starlink continues to dominate the B2C market, challenging Eutelsat’s growth trajectory.

Through its subsidiary OneWeb, Eutelsat operates more than 600 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, giving it the only LEO constellation besides Starlink — a key part of Europe’s push for independent satellite infrastructure. A €1.5 billion capital infusion led by France and the UK is expected to close by the end of 2025 to help bolster competitiveness.

Despite the weak quarter, Eutelsat maintained its full-year and long-term targets, betting that its diversification into broadband and government services will offset the gradual decline of its legacy video operations.

Global space investment hits record $3.5 billion as funding widens beyond SpaceX and OneWeb

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Global space investment soared to a record $3.5 billion in the third quarter, almost doubling last year’s figure, as money flowed into a broader range of startups and defense-related projects, according to a new report from Seraphim Space.

The data marks a shift in the fast-growing industry, with capital now spread across multiple players instead of being dominated by giants such as SpaceX and OneWeb. “We’re seeing a far more diverse set of investable companies, signaling that space has evolved into a broader, more mature market,” said Lucas Bishop, investment associate at Seraphim.

The surge was led by U.S. defense and aerospace firms like Hadrian, Apex, and Hermeus, which raised large rounds focused on advanced manufacturing and hypersonic technologies. In China, Galactic Energy took the top spot with a $336 million raise in September.

Governments are fueling the boom as they expand domestic space and defense initiatives, with the U.S., China, and Europe all channeling funds into satellite networks and orbital infrastructure. The report said this momentum would likely continue into 2026, supported by dual-use technologies bridging civilian and military applications, such as SpaceX’s Starshield and OneWeb’s network expansion.

Publicly traded space firms have also surged. Rocket Lab and Planet Labs have more than doubled their market value in recent months, while AST SpaceMobile has tripled after demonstrating satellite-to-phone broadband connectivity — a milestone for direct-to-device communication.