Eutelsat Partners with ISRO to Diversify Satellite Constellation Amid Increased Dependence on SpaceX

Eutelsat Seeks to Diversify Beyond SpaceX and European Rockets

Eutelsat, Europe's main rival to Elon Musk's satellite internet provider Starlink, is in talks with India's space agency about future satellite launches as it seeks to expand its options beyond SpaceX and Europe's Ariane rockets. The negotiations with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are ongoing, although no deal has yet been reached.

According to Jean-François Fallacher, CEO of France-based Eutelsat since last June, the talks have not previously been reported. Fallacher visited New Delhi in February as part of French President Emmanuel Macron's delegation, meeting India's telecoms minister and regulators to discuss market access. He emphasized the importance of diversifying beyond SpaceX and Ariane rockets, citing the need for launch capacity to be prepared well in advance.

Eutelsat has deepened its ties with India in recent years, with the two countries signing contracts for French fighter jets. Last year, President Macron urged the two countries to collaborate on space, warning that reliance on non-European providers was "madness." This sentiment is reflected in Eutelsat's efforts to establish partnerships with Indian organizations.

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A Changing Landscape for Space

India is repositioning its space programme to shift routine manufacturing and commercial activity to the private sector while freeing ISRO to focus on advanced research and exploration. The country is targeting a domestic space economy worth approximately $44 billion by 2033, according to official estimates. This shift has created opportunities for companies like Eutelsat to collaborate with ISRO and tap into India's growing space market.

Eutelsat's Plans for the Future

Eutelsat operates 650 satellites and expects to reach more than 1,000 "very soon," Fallacher said. The company has secured financing through 2031 after securing 5 billion euros ($5.7 billion) in a refinancing last year. Eutelsat estimates it will spend around 2 billion euros to buy and launch its 440 satellites by 2030, with launches accounting for 30% to 40% of total programme costs.

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Comparison of Satellite Networks and Launch Providers

Eutelsat's CEO dismissed comparisons with Starlink's network of 10,000 satellites, stating that the company would scale as needed. "It's not a question of number of satellites, because when you are higher in space, you need fewer satellites. As soon as it's becoming a limitation, we will order new satellites and we will grow the constellation," Fallacher said.