Eutelsat Selects Arianespace for Two Ariane 64 Launches in 2027 and 2028 to Renew and Expand OneWeb Low-Earth-Orbit Constellation

Eutelsat Selects Arianespace for Two Ariane 64 Launches in 2027 and 2028 to Renew and Expand OneWeb Low-Earth-Orbit Constellation

(IN BRIEF) Eutelsat has selected Arianespace for two dedicated Ariane 64 launches in 2027 and 2028 to support the renewal and further development of its OneWeb low-Earth-orbit constellation. Both missions will depart from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana using the four-booster Ariane 64 configuration, providing deployment capacity for a global network delivering high-speed, low-latency connectivity to commercial, government and institutional customers. The agreement renews a long-standing partnership: between 2019 and 2022, Arianespace conducted 13 missions that placed 428 OneWeb satellites into orbit. Eutelsat is currently the only European operator with a global LEO constellation, while Ariane 6 provides Europe with autonomous heavy-lift launch capability, giving the transaction wider strategic significance for European connectivity, resilience and space independence. David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, said the agreement demonstrates Ariane 6’s suitability for large LEO constellations, while Eutelsat CEO Jean-François Fallacher said the launches will help secure the long-term future of OneWeb and combine two critical European capabilities: satellite connectivity and independent access to space.

(PRESS RELEASE) ÉVRY-COURCOURONNES, 11-Sep-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Eutelsat and Arianespace have signed an agreement for two dedicated Ariane 64 launches supporting the renewal and further development of Eutelsat’s OneWeb low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation.

Announced at the International Space Summit, the missions are scheduled for 2027 and 2028 and will lift off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana aboard Ariane 64, the four-booster and most powerful configuration of Europe’s Ariane 6 heavy-lift launch vehicle.

The agreement renews a long-standing relationship between Arianespace and OneWeb and is intended to support the continuity and future development of a global satellite network delivering high-speed, low-latency connectivity to commercial, government and institutional customers.

Two dedicated Ariane 64 missions planned for 2027 and 2028

Both missions will be dedicated to deploying OneWeb satellites as Eutelsat moves forward with the renewal of its operational LEO infrastructure.

The first launch is planned for 2027, followed by a second mission in 2028.

Arianespace will use the Ariane 64 configuration, equipped with four solid rocket boosters and designed for heavier or more demanding missions.

The dedicated launches will provide Eutelsat with additional deployment capacity as it works to maintain and further enhance its OneWeb constellation over the longer term.

OneWeb supports global high-speed, low-latency connectivity

OneWeb operates in low Earth orbit, providing satellite-based communications services to private-sector, government and institutional customers around the world.

Compared with satellites operating at much higher orbital altitudes, LEO networks can provide lower-latency communications, making them suitable for a variety of connectivity applications.

Eutelsat’s renewal programme is intended to ensure continuity of service while progressively enhancing the capabilities and performance of the OneWeb network.

The two Ariane 64 missions will form part of this longer-term infrastructure strategy.

Agreement renews historic Arianespace-OneWeb relationship

The new launch contract builds on Arianespace’s significant role in the initial deployment of OneWeb.

Between 2019 and 2022, Arianespace conducted 13 missions that placed 428 OneWeb satellites into orbit.

The latest agreement therefore represents a return to cooperation on OneWeb deployment as Eutelsat begins renewing and developing the constellation for its next operational phase.

Arianespace said the agreement opens another chapter in its relationship with Eutelsat while demonstrating Ariane 6’s ability to serve large-scale LEO satellite networks.

Partnership connects two strategic European space capabilities

The agreement also carries broader significance for Europe’s space and communications ecosystem.

Eutelsat is currently the only European satellite operator with a global LEO constellation, while Ariane 6 provides Europe with an autonomous heavy-lift launch capability.

By using Ariane 6 to deploy OneWeb satellites, the programme connects European satellite infrastructure with European access to space.

The companies said this combination can contribute to greater resilience and strategic independence in areas where space-based communications have become increasingly important.

Space communications play growing role in sovereignty and resilience

Satellite connectivity is becoming an increasingly important component of communications infrastructure for governments, businesses and institutions.

The Eutelsat-Arianespace agreement comes as Europe places greater emphasis on the resilience of strategic infrastructure, secure communications capabilities and independent access to orbit.

OneWeb already provides an operational global LEO network, meaning the renewal programme is focused not only on future expansion but also on maintaining continuity of existing services.

The planned missions will help Eutelsat refresh its satellite infrastructure while protecting the long-term operation of the network.

Ariane 6 supports deployment of strategic European infrastructure

Selecting Ariane 6 for the missions also highlights the role of Europe’s launch capability in deploying infrastructure considered important to the region’s connectivity and space autonomy.

Ariane 6 was developed to provide reliable European access to orbit for institutional and commercial missions.

The use of Ariane 64 for OneWeb renewal demonstrates the launcher’s ability to address the payload requirements associated with large LEO constellations.

The agreement further strengthens the link between Europe’s launch industry and its satellite communications sector.

David Cavaillolès highlights Ariane 6 constellation capabilities

David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, said the company was particularly pleased to work with Eutelsat again after supporting OneWeb from the early stages of its deployment.

He said the new agreement demonstrates Ariane 6’s ability to meet the requirements of large LEO constellations.

Cavaillolès also highlighted the strategic dimension of the missions, noting that Arianespace’s role includes giving Europe autonomous access to space and the ability to deploy strategically important infrastructure using European launch capabilities.

Jean-François Fallacher stresses importance of assured access to space

Jean-François Fallacher, Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat, described dependable access to space as a critical requirement for satellite operators.

He noted that Eutelsat and Arianespace have a long history of cooperation across both geostationary orbit (GEO) and low Earth orbit.

Fallacher said the two missions will play an important role in renewing OneWeb and securing the long-term future of Eutelsat’s LEO network.

He also highlighted the strategic combination of European satellite connectivity and European launch capabilities as a contribution to the region’s resilience and independence in space.

Agreement spans Eutelsat’s GEO and LEO heritage

Eutelsat’s relationship with Arianespace extends beyond OneWeb and includes the operator’s established geostationary satellite activities.

The new agreement reflects Eutelsat’s evolution into an operator combining traditional GEO assets with a global LEO constellation.

For Arianespace, this creates opportunities to serve customers across different satellite architectures and mission profiles using Ariane 6.

The two dedicated OneWeb missions will specifically focus on the next stage of Eutelsat’s LEO development.

French Guiana remains gateway for Ariane 6 missions

Both launches will take place from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, the operational base for Ariane 6 missions.

The launch site provides Europe with an independent capability to send institutional and commercial payloads into orbit.

Through the OneWeb missions, that infrastructure will be used to deploy satellites forming part of a globally operating European communications network.

The agreement therefore brings together launch infrastructure, launch vehicles and satellite operations across different parts of Europe’s space value chain.

Renewal programme supports long-term LEO service continuity

For Eutelsat, renewing OneWeb is essential to maintaining the constellation as a long-term operational platform.

LEO satellites have finite operational lives, making planned replacement and replenishment an integral part of constellation management.

The 2027 and 2028 Ariane 64 missions will contribute to this process by introducing new satellites into the network as part of Eutelsat’s broader renewal and development programme.

The company expects the effort to preserve continuity while allowing its LEO infrastructure to evolve as connectivity requirements change.

Media Contacts:

Julie Lenoir
Chief Brand &
Communications Officer
j.lenoir@arianespace.com

Juliette Poisson
Media Relations Leader
juliette.poisson@ariane.group

SOURCE: ArianeSpace