ArianeGroup's Maia Rocket Set for First Launch in 2027 from Toulouse
The Maia mini-launcher, developed by MaiaSpace, is scheduled for its inaugural flight in late 2026, with commercial missions following in 2027. This initiative aims to restore Europe's autonomous access to space amid increasing dependence on U.S. competitors like SpaceX.
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MaiaSpace, a subsidiary of ArianeGroup, is developing the Maia mini-launcher, which stands 50 meters tall and is designed to deploy payloads between 500 kg and 2.5 tons into low Earth orbit. The first test flight is slated for late 2026, while commercial launches are anticipated to start in 2027, with a significant order book that is already over 50% filled.
Contracts include multiple launches for Eutelsat and a mission for Exotrail. Production of satellites for OneWeb is also underway in Toulouse, with a new production line established by Airbus Defence & Space.
Additionally, ArianeGroup's factory in Toulouse produces ammonium perchlorate, essential for propulsion. The city is pivotal in re-establishing European sovereignty in space access following the suspension of Soyuz launches in 2022. Competition remains fierce, with major players like SpaceX and Amazon expanding their satellite constellations.
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