• First 32 new OneWeb LEO satellites completed and shipping for launch preparations
• Major milestone in Eutelsat’s programme to renew and enhance OneWeb
• Manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space in Toulouse, demonstrating Europe’s LEO industrial capability

Eutelsat announced that Airbus Defence and Space has completed the first 32 new OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites for Eutelsat at its facility in Toulouse, France. The satellites are now preparing to be shipped for an upcoming launch with SpaceX, marking a major milestone in Eutelsat’s programme to renew and enhance the OneWeb constellation.

They are the first in Eutelsat’s planned programme of 669 new OneWeb satellites. As the new spacecraft progressively replace those reaching the end of their operational lives, they will assure continuity of service for customers and enhance the network’s capabilities. The programme will enable Eutelsat to continue delivering secure, resilient LEO connectivity to businesses, governments and institutions around the world.

The completion of these satellites brings together two European strengths: Eutelsat’s experience operating a global LEO network and Airbus’s manufacturing expertise in Toulouse. It demonstrates Europe’s ability to build infrastructure supporting a service used by customers worldwide.

Jean-François Fallacher, Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat, said: “This is an exciting moment for Eutelsat as our first new OneWeb satellites leave the production line and head towards launch. For our customers, it shows our commitment to keep delivering the connectivity they rely on as we renew the network. For Europe, it demonstrates our ability to build and sustain a global LEO capability.”

“This moment is twice important for us: a symbol of our industrial relocalisation as well as the confirmation of our high volume, high cadence satellite delivery capability and credibility to empower our customers for the increasingly critical constellation market,” said Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus Defence and Space.