Arianespace opens door to GEO rideshare opportunities from 2029
MILAN - Arianespace has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with French in-orbit servicing company Infinite Orbits to explore future collaboration on multiple direct-to-GEO rideshare launch services, the companies announced July 7.
Arianespace first mentioned the possibility of rideshare services to geostationary orbit in 2019. But amid growing concerns over potential bottlenecks in the rideshare market after 2028, the European launch provider is now revisiting the possibility of GEO rideshare services for commercial customers in more concrete terms.
While Ariane 6 and Vega C have flown rideshare missions, Europe does not currently offer an established direct-to-LEO or direct-to-GEO rideshare service. That need would be exacerbated if SpaceX reduced, suspended or ended its rideshare programs.
"The challenges facing the space sector, and geostationary orbit in particular, demandresponses equal to their strategic importance" Adel Haddoud, chief executive of Infinite Orbits, said in a press release.
"Without reliable and responsive launch capabilities French and European space sovereignty will remain an ambition on paper," Haddoud added.
"This partnership with Infinite Orbits reflects our commitment to supporting Europe's most innovative players and preparing the future of launch services," said David Cavaillolès, chief executive of Arianespace.
Depending on demand, the opportunities could materialize either as full Ariane 64 rideshare launches or as piggyback opportunities around larger satellites, David Iranzo Greus, Arianespace's vice president of strategy, marketing and advanced studies, told SpaceNews.
For now, the offer is focused on geostationary transfer orbit and direct-to-GEO rideshare. However, Arianespace confirmed it is also receiving requests for possible rideshare opportunities to LEO.
"If these discussions move forward and there is a strong demand, LEO opportunities could materialize in the future," an Arianespace spokesperson told SpaceNews via email.
The push for a dedicated European rideshare for small satellites has been picking up steam across the continent's space industry.
"Europe needs a European rideshare program that consists of at least annual heavy lift to [sun-synchronous orbit] with smaller launchers flying to more specific orbital locations," Robert Sproles, CEO of the German launch services provider Exolaunch, said by email.
It makes sense to have "a true European rideshare program we can control," Valentin Benoit, chief executive for French launch integrator RIDE! Space, said in an interview. "We want to offer continuity of access to space to European smallsats so that we don't depend on the U.S. and the decision of SpaceX."
Like American small satellite developers, European companies have relied extensively on SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter and Bandwagon flights. The dedicated rideshare missions currently send into orbit around 80% of small satellites worldwide and about 25% of European payloads, said Sophie Pâques, RIDE! public affairs and launch strategy lead.
At the SmallSat Europe conference in May, some speakers called on European government agencies to subsidize dedicated rideshares on Ariane 6, Vega C or small European launch vehicles being developed.
"Launch is strategic, like other elements of infrastructure be that airports or rail systems, and needs to be supported in the same way," said Nik Smith, Slingshot Aerospace international business unit executive vice president and general manager. "Don't expect the commercial market to sustain it, because it won't."
If government agencies subsidized the flights and European satellite operators were willing "to pay a little bit more to fly on the European vehicle, then it will work well," said Jeanne Allarie, Exolaunch's chief investor relations officer.
Oier Rodriguez, PLD Space sales engineer, suggested a competition.
"We're not so much for subsidies, but we would welcome being able to compete for those contracts," Rodriguez said.
Portions of this article first appeared in the July 2026 issue of SpaceNews Magazine.
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