{"id":23844,"date":"2025-04-02T23:22:21","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T15:22:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/maiaspace-set-to-forge-europes-path-to-reusability-2\/"},"modified":"2025-04-02T23:22:21","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T15:22:21","slug":"maiaspace-set-to-forge-europes-path-to-reusability-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/maiaspace-set-to-forge-europes-path-to-reusability-2\/","title":{"rendered":"MaiaSpace set to forge Europe\u2019s path to reusability"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>French company MaiaSpace has a good shot at becoming the first European launch provider to bring reusable orbital vehicles to the market. The company is firmly on the path to achieving this by leveraging existing technologies and optimizing its design decisions around the vehicle while remaining competitive.<\/p>\n<p>NSF spoke with MaiaSpace\u2019s CEO, Yohann Leroy, about the company\u2019s forthcoming launcher, which is due to take its maiden flight next year.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur mission is to bring to the launch pad, in four years, the first European reusable and eco-responsible mini launcher,\u201d Leroy told NSF. The vehicle, called Maia, will be able to launch payloads ranging from 500 kg to 4,000 kg, depending on the target orbit. The first stage will land at sea on a barge for recovery and reuse, similar to SpaceX\u2019s Falcon rockets.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Europe's Reusable Future - MaiaSpace - NSF Live: Europe's Future in Space\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HsTZfRuIEks?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid0\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-15=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-22=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The four-year goal set by the company would see the first Maia vehicle launch in 2026. The fast pace of development is made possible by adopting some pre-existing European technologies. \u201cOur idea is not to reinvent the wheel but to use the technologies that have been developed here and there in Europe,\u201d Leroy adds.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"widget-title penci-border-arrow\">See Also<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Maiaspace updates<\/li>\n<li>Commercial spaceflight section<\/li>\n<li>European spaceflight articles<\/li>\n<li>Click here to join L2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>One year into the project, prototypes of the main aspects of the vehicle were already undergoing testing, adding credibility to the likelihood of reaching its launch target. In June 2023, cryogenic tests were being performed on the first and second stages while ArianeGroup was simultaneously conducting test firings of its Prometheus engine demonstrator. This engine was already well advanced when MaiaSpace was created and was a natural choice for the new vehicle. \u201cIf we had decided to develop the engine ourselves,\u201d explains Leroy, \u201cthere would be no way for us to be on the launch pad in 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A subsidiary of ArianeGroup, MaiaSpace was created in 2022. It is a French company that considers its DNA to be European, with over half of its partners coming from outside of France. \u201cWhat we are trying to do is combine the best of two worlds. We are a startup company, but we are also a spin-off from the ArianeGroup,\u201d Leroy says.<\/p>\n<p>SpaceX<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>Aerospace &amp; Defense<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>Space Technology<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>\n<p>     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n<p>The separation from ArianeGroup as a self-funded private company enables MaiaSpace to be autonomous and free to make decisions outside of the constraints of the group. \u201cThe development of our rocket is not funded with public money, but we can draw from the experience and expertise of the mother company,\u201d Leroy points out. \u201cThere are people who have been developing rockets for 40 or 50 years, and that can help us make the right choices and avoid making mistakes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-105821\" class=\"wp-image-105821 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Maia-stage-on-the-test-bench-Credit-MaiaSpace.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1647\" height=\"1023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Maia-stage-on-the-test-bench-Credit-MaiaSpace.png 1647w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Maia-stage-on-the-test-bench-Credit-MaiaSpace-350x217.png 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Maia-stage-on-the-test-bench-Credit-MaiaSpace-563x350.png 563w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Maia-stage-on-the-test-bench-Credit-MaiaSpace-768x477.png 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Maia-stage-on-the-test-bench-Credit-MaiaSpace-1170x727.png 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1647px) 100vw, 1647px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-105821\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Maia stage on the test bench (Credit: MaiaSpace)<\/p>\n<p>Some inspiration was taken from the European Space Agency\u2019s (ESA) Themis demonstrator, which was also on the test stand during the early development of the Maia prototype stages. Themis serves primarily to test and validate technologies for first-stage reusability under the auspices of ESA. With the expectation of the project eventually contributing to the Ariane program, the Maia vehicle benefits early by being derived from some of that work.<\/p>\n<p>Reusability has been baked into Maia\u2019s design from the outset, and the company expects to conduct two or three flights to demonstrate control over the first stage before attempting to land on a barge. Functionality such as the stage flip and engine reignition will be proven on these initial flights ahead of a first landing and recovery attempt around 2028. Similar to a Falcon 9, the Maia vehicle has landing legs and grid fins for guidance back to its landing target.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSometimes the strategy of some other launch operators is to change the design of their rocket to introduce reusability at a later stage,\u201d notes Leroy. \u201cIn our view, this is suboptimal \u2013 you need to take this into account right from the beginning. By design, our rocket will be reusable, and we will progressively demonstrate this capability during the ramp-up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-105818\" class=\"wp-image-105818 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-first-stage-conducting-a-landing-burn-on-the-floating-barge-Credit-MaiaSpace.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-first-stage-conducting-a-landing-burn-on-the-floating-barge-Credit-MaiaSpace.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-first-stage-conducting-a-landing-burn-on-the-floating-barge-Credit-MaiaSpace-350x197.webp 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-first-stage-conducting-a-landing-burn-on-the-floating-barge-Credit-MaiaSpace-622x350.webp 622w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-first-stage-conducting-a-landing-burn-on-the-floating-barge-Credit-MaiaSpace-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-first-stage-conducting-a-landing-burn-on-the-floating-barge-Credit-MaiaSpace-1170x658.webp 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-105818\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Render of the Maia first stage conducting a landing burn on the floating barge. (Credit: MaiaSpace)<\/p>\n<p>The rocket will launch from the converted ELS Soyuz pad at the Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG), or Guiana Space Center, in Kourou, French Guiana. The location affords a wide angle of launches to the north and eastwards, benefitting from the added rotational slingshot effect of being close to Earth\u2019s equator.<\/p>\n<p>The spaceport is currently used by Europe\u2019s Ariane 6 and Vega rockets, with other launch operators also planning to launch from the site in the future, including PLD Space\u2019s Miura 5, Isar Aerospace\u2019s Spectrum, and Rocket Factory Augsburg\u2019s RFA One. \u201cAll this helps the economic equation,\u201d Leroy explains, \u201cCSG can better share fixed costs with a higher number of operators, and I truly believe this will allow us to get attractive conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>From an environmental and sustainability standpoint, reusing the pad meets MaiaSpace\u2019s eco-friendly philosophy. However, the pad will still require small amounts of modification before Maia flies. Infrastructure for kerosene propellant is being upgraded to handle the bio-methane propellant, and some work needs to be done on the mechanical structure of the pad itself. Existing buildings will be repurposed, while a new transport erector is being manufactured and will arrive in the first half of next year. This will allow horizontal assembly in the former Soyuz assembly building before the vehicle is rolled out to the pad.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-105819\" class=\"wp-image-105819 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-upper-stage-in-orbit-during-fairing-jettison-Credit-MaiaSpace.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-upper-stage-in-orbit-during-fairing-jettison-Credit-MaiaSpace.webp 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-upper-stage-in-orbit-during-fairing-jettison-Credit-MaiaSpace-350x197.webp 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-upper-stage-in-orbit-during-fairing-jettison-Credit-MaiaSpace-622x350.webp 622w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-upper-stage-in-orbit-during-fairing-jettison-Credit-MaiaSpace-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-upper-stage-in-orbit-during-fairing-jettison-Credit-MaiaSpace-1170x658.webp 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-105819\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Render of the Maia upper stage in orbit during fairing jettison. (Credit: MaiaSpace)<\/p>\n<p>The two-stage Maia vehicle will stand 50 m tall with a diameter of 3.5 m. It will occupy a position in the market between larger medium-lift vehicles such as Falcon 9 and the smaller Electron, Alpha, Vega, and Miura 5 rockets that are approximately half its size. The vehicle can deliver 1,500 kg to a Sun-synchronous orbit when expended or 500 kg when recovering the first stage.<\/p>\n<p>An optional third Colibri kick stage would add around 1,000 kg to both launch configurations. Missions that take advantage of the additional performance from equatorial launches to inclined low-Earth orbits will see an increase to 4,000 kg. Broadband satellite constellations typically use these orbits, inclined around 50 to 55 degrees for maximum mid-latitude coverage, and could be potential customers for the company.<\/p>\n<p>MaiaSpace consists predominantly of engineers, but the CEO is keen to emphasize that the company philosophy is driven by business thinking. \u201cOur objective is not to extract the last kilogram of performance possible considering the size of the rocket. What we are looking for is making the launcher that will allow us to be the most competitive, considering the economies of scale do not necessarily play in our favor. When we compare ourselves to heavy launchers, performance is typically five to ten times less. In our industry, like many others, when you double the size of the rocket you typically do not double the cost to build it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-105816\" class=\"wp-image-105816 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-first-stage-approaching-the-landing-barge-Credit-MaiaSpace.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-first-stage-approaching-the-landing-barge-Credit-MaiaSpace.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-first-stage-approaching-the-landing-barge-Credit-MaiaSpace-350x197.webp 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-first-stage-approaching-the-landing-barge-Credit-MaiaSpace-622x350.webp 622w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-first-stage-approaching-the-landing-barge-Credit-MaiaSpace-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-first-stage-approaching-the-landing-barge-Credit-MaiaSpace-1170x658.webp 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-105816\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Render of the Maia first stage approaching the landing barge. (Credit: MaiaSpace)<\/p>\n<p>Leroy is mindful of the benefits and speed to orbit that have made heavier launchers the logical choice for batches of satellites to date, and Maisapace is already having positive conversations with constellation operators. \u201cWith four tonnes of performance, we believe we can fight against the lack of economies of scale and reach a cost per kilogram, or per satellite deployed, that is equivalent to what heavy launchers can propose to these constellation operators. If we succeed, we can become a solution to further increase the pace at which they can deploy their constellation. For them, it does not represent any extra cost, it\u2019s just additional launch capabilities they can use.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>MaiaSpace announced this month that it has signed a contract with Exotrail for multiple Spacevan servicer missions starting in 2027. The company is also in discussions with various institutional and commercial customers from Europe, Asia, and the United States.<\/p>\n<p>Maia will be powered by three Prometheus engines on the first stage and a vacuum-optimized Prometheus on the second. The Prometheus engine burns liquid bio-methane and oxygen as propellants and supports reusability through its ability to throttle, which is necessary to slow down the first stage for landings.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s easier to land if you took off with three engines than with only one,\u201d explains Leroy. \u201cThe thrust for the landing needs to be approximately 10% of the take-off thrust, and having an engine that is capable of reducing its thrust by 90% would be a big challenge. If your thrust is generated by three engines during take-off, then you can achieve 10% of this with one engine fired up at 30% of its thrust, and that\u2019s easier to manage.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-105817\" class=\"wp-image-105817 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Prometheus-engine-is-tested-on-the-Thenis-reusable-stage-demonstrator-in-June-2023-Credit-ArianeGroup.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"2659\" height=\"1566\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Prometheus-engine-is-tested-on-the-Thenis-reusable-stage-demonstrator-in-June-2023-Credit-ArianeGroup.png 2659w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Prometheus-engine-is-tested-on-the-Thenis-reusable-stage-demonstrator-in-June-2023-Credit-ArianeGroup-350x206.png 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Prometheus-engine-is-tested-on-the-Thenis-reusable-stage-demonstrator-in-June-2023-Credit-ArianeGroup-594x350.png 594w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Prometheus-engine-is-tested-on-the-Thenis-reusable-stage-demonstrator-in-June-2023-Credit-ArianeGroup-768x452.png 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Prometheus-engine-is-tested-on-the-Thenis-reusable-stage-demonstrator-in-June-2023-Credit-ArianeGroup-1920x1131.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Prometheus-engine-is-tested-on-the-Thenis-reusable-stage-demonstrator-in-June-2023-Credit-ArianeGroup-1170x689.png 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2659px) 100vw, 2659px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-105817\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Prometheus engine is tested on the Themis reusable stage demonstrator in June 2023. (Credit: ArianeGroup)<\/p>\n<p>Reusability is the key to success for a launcher of this size and gives MaiaSpace a huge opportunity with the vehicle\u2019s adaptable configuration. \u201cWe do not need to waste a first stage when the customer wants to be put into a specific orbit and necessitates only part of the performance of the rocket. In this situation, we can take advantage of that unused performance to get the first stage back and reduce the cost to provide the service.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This approach will enable the company to remain competitive and have more opportunities to launch and learn, drawing from the benefits of a higher launch cadence. As with the Falcon 9, the landing legs and grid fins would be removed for expendable missions.<\/p>\n<p>MaiaSpace applies an agile approach, commonly used in software engineering, to build and test a minimum viable product (MVP) for each version of its designs so that it can quickly learn and iterate. The team is currently finalizing the second main model of Maia before progressing with the next and final model, which will be the flight hardware. The test campaign for an interstage has already begun on the test bench.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a specific challenge considering the rocket will be reusable and pushes us to make the separation at a lower altitude than would be the case otherwise. There\u2019s a lot between performing cryogenic tests on the first prototype and bringing a launcher to the pad but it\u2019s a good sign to have been able to do this in one year,\u201d says Leroy.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-105822\" class=\"wp-image-105822 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Maia-prototype-stages-under-cryogenic-testing-Credit-MaiaSpace.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"3008\" height=\"1689\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Maia-prototype-stages-under-cryogenic-testing-Credit-MaiaSpace.png 3008w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Maia-prototype-stages-under-cryogenic-testing-Credit-MaiaSpace-350x197.png 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Maia-prototype-stages-under-cryogenic-testing-Credit-MaiaSpace-623x350.png 623w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Maia-prototype-stages-under-cryogenic-testing-Credit-MaiaSpace-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Maia-prototype-stages-under-cryogenic-testing-Credit-MaiaSpace-1920x1078.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Maia-prototype-stages-under-cryogenic-testing-Credit-MaiaSpace-1170x657.png 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 3008px) 100vw, 3008px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-105822\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Maia prototype stages under cryogenic testing. (Credit: MaiaSpace)<\/p>\n<p>The MVP approach means some performance decisions and ideas have been initially discarded in the interest of the schedule and reaching the launch pad on target. The vehicle won\u2019t, for example, use condensed propellants at the super-chilled temperatures used by SpaceX on its Falcon 9. \u201cWe are ready to be simple and accept solutions that are not optimal from a performance standpoint, but once we have performed our first launches, we will seriously consider improving the performance,\u201d notes Leroy.<\/p>\n<p>The team has plenty of ideas that can be introduced later, thanks to its modular design. Improvements such as adding more Prometheus engines to the first stage would be much simpler than increasing the performance with technical choices that might have otherwise been specific to this particular design. One engineering tradeoff was the conclusion that stainless steel was the best option for the construction of the tanks, albeit not from a purely engineering standpoint. \u201cOnce again, our objective is not to maximize the performance of the launcher; it\u2019s to make it as competitive as possible,\u201d Leroy points out.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-105823\" class=\"wp-image-105823 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-vehicle-on-the-launchpad-Credit-MaiaSpace.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-vehicle-on-the-launchpad-Credit-MaiaSpace.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-vehicle-on-the-launchpad-Credit-MaiaSpace-350x197.webp 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-vehicle-on-the-launchpad-Credit-MaiaSpace-622x350.webp 622w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-vehicle-on-the-launchpad-Credit-MaiaSpace-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Render-of-the-Maia-vehicle-on-the-launchpad-Credit-MaiaSpace-1170x658.webp 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-105823\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Render of the Maia vehicle on the launch pad in Kourou. (Credit: MaiaSpace)<\/p>\n<p>The company expects to ramp up to 20 flights per year towards the end of the decade and reuse its first stage boosters at least five times each. There are no immediate plans, however, to attempt fairing recovery or to return the booster for a landing on a concrete pad at the launch site. \u201cThe performance penalty would be much higher if the first stage had to return to the launch pad,\u201d adds Leroy. \u201cSo, for the time being, the idea is to land a few hundred kilometers from the French Guiana coast on a barge at sea.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While some launch operators have larger heavy-lift vehicle concepts further down their timeline, MaiaSpace is content to focus on demonstrating the operation of the first Maia vehicle for now, which Leroy describes as \u201cfuture-proof.\u201d \u201cWith the four tonnes we can reach in an inclined orbit, we believe we can successfully address the broadband constellation [market]. We want to grasp some market share in the 500 kg satellite market and the 1.5 to three tonne [market], and by bringing them together, we will be able to make a profitable business plan.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>(Lead image: Render of the Maia vehicle in flight. Credit: MaiaSpace)&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>French company MaiaSpace has a good shot at becoming the first European launch provider to bring reusable orbital vehicles to the market. The company is firmly on the path to achieving this by leveraging existing technologies and optimizing its design decisions around the vehicle while remaining competitive. NSF spoke with MaiaSpace\u2019s CEO, Yohann Leroy, about [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1634,8121,7790,341,8079,6914,8080,8141,6827],"class_list":["post-23844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-arianegroup","tag-droneship","tag-european","tag-kourou","tag-maia","tag-maiaspace","tag-prometheus","tag-resuable","tag-themis"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23844"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23844"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23844\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23844"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}