Airbus completes first 32 OneWeb replenishment satellites for Eutelsat

On October 5, 2026, Airbus Defence and Space completed the manufacturing of the first 32 OneWeb refresh satellites for the satellite operator Eutelsat, SatNews reported. The uncrewed spacecraft were produced at the Airbus assembly facility located in Toulouse, France. [1]

According to SatNews, the spacecraft are currently being prepared for shipment to SpaceX, which will launch the batch into low Earth orbit. This delivery of 32 satellites forms the initial operational tranche delivered under a larger procurement agreement between Eutelsat and Airbus Defence and Space. That overall contract encompasses 669 new OneWeb spacecraft on order to refresh the fleet. [1]

SatNews reported that the manufacturing campaign is structured to sustain continuous low Earth orbit broadband services. The newly completed spacecraft will replace legacy first-generation satellites as those older units gradually reach the end of their operational lives and approach orbital retirement. [1]

Airbus Defence and Space builds a range of orbital hardware, including dual-payload telecommunications platforms such as Inmarsat-6 F1. Artificial satellites operate as integrated components of larger satellite systems that include satellite buses, payloads, ground control segments, tracking networks, and launch vehicles. [3][4]