Eutelsat, ranked as the world’s third-largest satellite operator by revenue, successfully launched 20 satellites for its communications network on Sunday. This marked the first mission since the merger of two European companies last year, utilizing SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying Eutelsat satellites, departed from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base at 0513 GMT. “This is the first OneWeb launch of the satellites since the merger,” stated CEO Eva Berneke in an interview with Reuters. “We will be launching more satellites over the coming years.”
Headquartered in Paris, the group resulted from the merger in September last year between France’s Eutelsat and Britain’s OneWeb. It operates a constellation of over 600 low earth orbit satellites serving broadcasters, telecom firms, and radio stations. Berneke expressed the company’s ambition to integrate further into the telecommunications ecosystem, acknowledging that while satellites occupy a niche within the broader connectivity landscape, telecoms remain dominant.
Eutelsat’s clientele includes prominent telecom operators such as France’s Orange and Australia’s Telstra, and it is currently in discussions with additional clients like AT&T in the U.S. With a backlog of orders amounting to $4 billion, the company anticipates market openings in countries like India and Saudi Arabia.
India, projected to grow 36% annually to reach $1.9 billion by 2030, is in the process of enabling satellite services, though it faces friction between domestic players and companies like Starlink. Berneke highlighted that some of Eutelsat’s backlog is tied to the Indian market and acknowledged plans to initiate development as soon as India allows satellite operations.
Moreover, Eutelsat is in discussions with aviation companies to provide in-flight connectivity, including internet services, and anticipates increased revenue beginning next year.
