French launch startup MaiaSpace has secured its first commercial customer, signing a launch services agreement with in-space logistics company Exotrail.
MaiaSpace is developing a small, two-stage, partially reusable rocket called Maia that will be capable of delivering 1,500 kilograms to low Earth orbit when launched in its expendable configuration. With the addition of its Colibri kick stage, the 50-meter Maia rocket will add an additional 1,000 kilograms to its payload capacity. MaiaSpace currently expects to launch the inaugural flight of Maia from the old Soyuz launch facility at the Guiana Space Centre in 2026.
On 20 March, MaiaSpace announced that it had signed a multi-launch agreement with Exotrail to carry its Spacevan orbital transfer vehicle from “as early as 2027.”
“Securing our first commercial contract less than three years after the creation of MaiaSpace is a major step forward, demonstrating our commitment to offering our customers the most competitive space launch service in its category,” said MaiaSpace CEO Yohann Leroy.
To date, Exotrail has completed one Spacevan mission, launched aboard a SpaceX flight in November 2023. The vehicle successfully deployed the EXO-0 CubeSat into low Earth orbit for Endurosat about three months later.
In November 2024, the company signed a contract with Arianespace to deploy a “geostationary version” of Spacevan into a geostationary transfer orbit in the second half of 2026 aboard an Ariane 64 as an auxiliary payload.
According to a 20 March Exotrail press release, the company has “secured” three missions: one to geostationary orbit aboard Ariane 6 and two to low Earth orbit, which will be launched aboard Maia rockets.
“At Exotrail, the Spacevan manifest is building up, and we are thrilled to team up with a trusted partner such as MaiaSpace for our access to space,” said Exotrail CEO Jean-Luc Maria.
