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.”