Airbus Defence and Space has secured a new contract from Eutelsat to manufacture an additional 340 low Earth orbit satellites for the OneWeb network, expanding the total order to 440 spacecraft when combined with a 100-satellite agreement signed in December 2024. The new order supports operational continuity for the OneWeb constellation as earlier satellite batches approach end of life.
Airbus will build the satellites at its Toulouse facility using a newly installed production line, with deliveries scheduled to begin at the end of 2026. The program advances Europe’s industrial capacity in LEO satellite manufacturing while sustaining OneWeb’s global coverage, which currently relies on more than 600 satellites operating across 12 synchronized orbital planes at an altitude of about 1,200 kilometers (746 miles).
The next-generation satellites incorporate technology upgrades, including advanced digital channelizers for enhanced onboard processing, along with architectural optimizations aimed at long-term performance and flexibility. Eutelsat said the new platforms will also enable evaluation of additional business opportunities, including hosted payload capabilities for third parties.
- 340 new LEO satellites ordered, bringing Eutelsat’s total Airbus order to 440 units
- Manufacturing to take place in Toulouse on a new Airbus production line
- Deliveries expected to start at the end of 2026
- Satellites feature upgraded digital processing and optimized architectures
- Program supports operational continuity and future hosted-payload use cases
“This latest contract from Eutelsat is an endorsement of our design and manufacturing expertise for LEO satellites. Airbus has been a key partner and supplier to Eutelsat for more than 30 years and this award further cements our important relationship,” said Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus.
🌐 Analysis
The order reinforces Eutelsat’s near-term focus on sustaining OneWeb’s first-generation LEO network while selectively upgrading onboard processing to improve flexibility and efficiency. It also signals continued confidence in Airbus’ ability to industrialize LEO satellite production in Europe as competition intensifies from vertically integrated constellations and U.S.-based manufacturers.
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