Airbus awarded Eutelsat contract to build OneWeb low orbit constellation extension
December 18, 2024
Airbus Defence and Space has secured a major contract from Eutelsat to construct the next phase of its OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation.
This deal will see Airbus build 100 satellites as part of the constellation’s extension, with deliveries scheduled to commence by late 2026.
The expansion will ensure uninterrupted service for OneWeb’s existing customers while also enhancing the constellation’s capabilities for future users.
The new satellites, to be manufactured at Airbus’s state-of-the-art facility in Toulouse, France, will incorporate key technological upgrades.
These include integration with 5G networks on the ground and compatibility with Europe’s upcoming IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security by Satellite) multi-orbit constellation, which is set to launch operational services by 2030. As one of the primary operators of IRIS², Eutelsat is playing a central role in shaping Europe’s space infrastructure.
This contract reinforces Airbus’s position as a leading manufacturer of advanced satellite systems and its commitment to supporting the growing demand for global connectivity.
Production of the satellites is scheduled to begin in 2026, further cementing Toulouse’s role as a hub for cutting-edge aerospace innovation.
The OneWeb constellation, under Eutelsat’s stewardship, continues to expand its reach, enabling improved connectivity solutions worldwide. With Airbus’s advanced engineering and the integration of emerging technologies, this latest development marks a significant step toward the future of satellite communications.
Alain Fauré, head of Space Systems at Airbus Defence and Space, said: “Airbus manufactured all of the current OneWeb satellite fleet. We are committed to the successful continuation of the OneWeb constellation and to keep serving the business of Eutelsat as we have done over the past decades.”
Eva Berneke, CEO of Eutelsat Group, said: “We are relying on our long-standing partner, Airbus, to begin building the first batches of the Next Generation of our OneWeb LEO constellation, which will ensure we deliver continuity of service of the existing constellation with enhanced service features, as we move towards an architecture in line with the European IRIS2 constellation in 2030.
“Our in-market experience shows us that the appetite for low Earth orbit capacity is growing rapidly, and we are excited to embark on the next stage of our journey to satisfy that demand.”
