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Eutelsat Orders 340 Satellites for OneWeb Network
12 Jan
Summary
- Eutelsat orders 340 satellites from Airbus to refresh OneWeb network.
- Deliveries for the new satellites are expected to begin by late 2026.
- This order supplements 100 satellites contracted in December 2024.
- Eutelsat is French- and British-government backed satellite operator.
- The new satellites will keep service running by replacing older ones.
Eutelsat, a satellite operator supported by the French and British governments, has contracted Airbus for 340 new satellites. These will be used to refresh and extend its OneWeb low-Earth-orbit network, ensuring continuous service by phasing out older vehicles. Deliveries of these new satellites are anticipated to start from the end of 2026.
The latest purchase, combined with 100 satellites ordered in December 2024, brings the total contracted satellites for OneWeb to 440. This strategic move is part of Eutelsat's plan to maintain service continuity until the European Union's IRIS² constellation becomes available. The total cost for this extension program is estimated between 2 billion and 2.2 billion euros.
Eutelsat's satellite network provides vital broadband internet from space, serving businesses, governments, and consumers in areas with limited connectivity. The company's importance to European governments increased recently, as it operates a low-Earth-orbit constellation alongside Elon Musk's Starlink. France previously led a 1.5-billion-euro capital increase to bolster Eutelsat's financial standing.
