MaiaSpace is owned by Arianespace, but is generally seen as an alternate to the giant rocket business. Founded in April 2022, it is being backed as the primary supplier for small-to-midsize rockets. The company used the Paris Air Show to announce plans for a new factory which is backed by the French Defence Ministry.

French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu commented that in two years’ time MaiaSpace should be launching three-to-four rockets annually. The new factory will be built at Vernon, in Normandy, close to an existing ArianeGroup facility.

The deal with the French government needs MaiaSpace to launch up to 800kgs into low Earth orbit. The rocket itself is a two-stage version capable of handling up to 1,500kgs in its expendable version, although the rocket’s design has a reusable first stage for some missions.

The longer-term aim is to supply up to 20 launches annually by the end of the decade from the Kourou launch site in French Guiana. MaiaSpace will use the launch pad and facilities previously used by the Russian Soyuz rocket.

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Categories: Articles, Satellite

Tags: france, MaïaSpace, satellite