Maia (rocket)
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Maia launch vehicle |
| Parent | ArianeGroup |
Overview
The Maia launch vehicle represents an upcoming orbital rocket designed for partial reusability, currently being developed by the French startup MaiaSpace, which operates as a fully owned subsidiary of ArianeGroup. This two-stage rocket features a first stage powered by three Prometheus engines, complemented by a second stage equipped with a single, restartable Prometheus engine. Additionally, there is an optional third stage known as Colibri, which utilizes multiple engines developed by the Polish research center Łukasiewicz–ILOT.[1]
Designed to place payloads into orbit, Maia can deliver up to 500 kg to LEO when its first stage is recovered and reused. If operated in an expendable configuration, it can carry up to 1,500 kg to LEO. Incorporating the Colibri upper stage enhances its capacity by at least 1,000 kg across both reusable and expendable modes.[2] The reusable first stage will feature landing legs, grid fins, and an attitude control system to enable precision landings on a maritime platform.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name MaiaSpace anticipates conducting its initial expendable launch in 2026, with recovery tests of the first stage slated for 2027.[3]
Background
The reusable Prometheus engine, designated to power Maia's initial and secondary stages, was created with financial support from the ESA through its FLPP. The propulsion systems for Colibri will incorporate technology developed by Łukasiewicz–ILOT within its GRACE 1 & 2 initiatives, which also received backing via the FLPP. Maia's first stage incorporates multiple technologies derived from ESA's Themis reusable rocket demonstrator, another project funded under the FLPP umbrella. Further advancements in first stage reusability are being pursued through the SkyHopper project, supported by funding from CNES. The launch operations for Maia are planned at the ELS launch site at the Guiana Space Centre, a facility previously utilized by Soyuz launches before being vacated following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Development
- In September 2023, MaiaSpace completed the initial cryogenic testing of a full-scale prototype for Maia’s second stage.
- By August 2025, MaiaSpace concluded a rigorous six-month series of high-pressure burst tests on scaled-down prototypes of its propellant tanks.
- In September 2025, the company achieved a successful simultaneous ignition test of two Colibri kick stage engines.
Launches
In March 2025, MaiaSpace announced its inaugural commercial client by entering into a multi-launch contract with the French enterprise Exotrail. This agreement involves deploying Exotrail's Spacevan orbital transfer vehicle to LEO no earlier than 2027.[4][5]
See also
- Template:Annotated link
- European orbital launch vehicles currently in development:
References
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs named:3 - ↑ Foust, Jeff (2024-03-06). "Exotrail deploys first satellite from orbital transfer vehicle". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
- ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2025-03-21). "MaiaSpace Has Secured Its First Commercial Customer". European Spaceflight. Retrieved 2025-09-07.