Ariane 6 has recorded its largest order intake since entering service. At the International Space Summit in Paris on 9 and 10 September 2026, Arianespace signed seven agreements covering about ten Ariane 64 launches.
The new orders
- Amazon Leo: six additional Ariane 64 launches. The agreement with Arianespace grows from 18 to 24 launches through 2031. The new flights are to begin in 2029.
- Eutelsat: two Ariane 64 launches in 2027 and 2028 to support the renewal of the OneWeb constellation.
- The Exploration Company: one Ariane 64 mission for the demonstration flight of the Nyx capsule.
- KT SAT and AscendArc: one Ariane 64 launch in 2028 for a geostationary satellite.
In addition, ICEYE, EnduroSat and AgenaSpace signed memorandums of understanding with Arianespace for future launches.
Amazon Leo as an anchor customer
Amazon Leo is Amazon's satellite constellation in low Earth orbit. According to Arianespace, three Ariane 6 missions placed 100 Amazon Leo satellites into orbit within five months in 2026. On 17 June 2026, mission VA269 carried 36 satellites and used the new, more powerful P160C boosters for the first time.
"Long-term commitments from customers such as Amazon Leo support the ramp-up of Ariane 6 and strengthen our business model."David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace
What it means
With the four-booster version Ariane 64, Europe's heavy launcher is increasingly used to deploy satellite constellations. Long-term orders give Arianespace planning security for the production ramp-up of the rocket.
Related reading
- Satellite Constellations Explained: Why Many Satellites Work Better Than One
- Europe's launch sites: Kourou, Andøya, SaxaVord and Esrange compared
- Upper Stages and Kick Stages: How Rockets Deliver Satellites to Their Final Orbit
Sources
- Arianespace, "Ariane 6 builds on commercial success at the International Space Summit with its largest order intake since entering service", 10 September 2026: arianespace.com
- Arianespace, "Amazon Leo and Arianespace strengthen partnership with six additional Ariane 64 launches", 9 September 2026: newsroom.arianespace.com
Cover image: AI-generated illustration (Carrier Space, created with OpenAI). It does not show the actual vehicle or site.