Maia (rocket)
| Function | Partially reusable orbital launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | MaiaSpace (ArianeGroup) |
| Country of origin |  France |
| Size | |
| Height | 50 m (160 ft) |
| Diameter | 3.5 m (11 ft) |
| Stages | 2 (plus optional 3rd) |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO | |
| Mass | 500 kg (1,100 lb) when reusable 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) when expendable 2,500 kg (5,500 lb) with 3rd stage and fully expendable |
| Payload to SSO | |
| Mass | 500 kg (1,100 lb) when reusable 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) when expendable 2,500 kg (5,500 lb) with 3rd stage and fully expendable |
| Associated rockets | |
| Based on | Themis |
| Comparable | Miura 5, Firefly Alpha |
| Launch history | |
| Status | In development |
| Launch sites | ELS at Guiana Space Centre |
| First flight | 2026 (planned) |
| First stage | |
| Powered by | 3 × Prometheus |
| Propellant | Methane/LOX |
| Second stage | |
| Powered by | 1 × Prometheus |
| Propellant | Methane/LOX |
| Optional third stage – Colibri | |
| Powered by | multiple engines developed by Łukasiewicz–ILOT |
The Maia rocket is a future European orbital reusable launch vehicle under development by the French company MaiaSpace, a subsidiary of ArianeGroup.[1][2] The rocket will consist of a first stage with three Prometheus engines, a re-ignitable second stage with a single Prometheus engine, and an optional Colibri kick stage with multiple engines developed by the Polish institute Łukasiewicz–ILOT.[3]
Maia will deliver up to 500 kg to low Earth orbit (LEO) when the first stage is recovered and 1,500 kg when fully expendable.[4] The addition of Colibri will give the rocket a performance boost of at least 1,000 kg to LEO for each version.[2] The reusable first stage will be equipped with landing legs, grid fins, and an attitude control system for controlled landing on a barge at sea.[5] The inaugural expendable flight of Maia is expected in 2026[4] and testing of the first stage recovery is expected to begin in 2027.[6]
Background
The reusable Prometheus engine, which will power Maia's first and second stages, was developed thanks to funding through ESA's Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP).[2] The Colibri's engines will be based on technology developed by Łukasiewicz–ILOT as part of its GRACE 1 & 2 projects,[7][8] also funded through FLPP.[3] The first stage of Maia will utilize a number of technologies developed for ESA's Themis reusable rocket demonstrator, again funded through FLPP.[9] Reusability of the first stage will be further developed within the project SkyHopper, which receives funding from CNES.[6] Maia will be launching from the ELS launchpad at the Guiana Space Centre formerly used by Soyuz at CSG and abandoned after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.[10][11]
See also
- European Launcher Challenge – Space launch vehicle development programme of the European Space Agency
- Other orbital launchers under development in Europe:
- Ariane Next – Orbital recoverable launch vehicle of the European company ArianeGroup
- Miura 5 – European orbital recoverable rocket of the company PLD Space
- Miura Next – European orbital recoverable rocket of the company PLD Space
- Prime – British orbital rocket of the company Orbex
- RFA One – Space launch vehicle in development
- Spectrum – Two-stage small launch vehicle
References
- ^ "France follows SpaceX by developing its own reusable rocket launchers". RFI. 2021-12-09. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
- ^ a b c "Maia". ArianeGroup. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
- ^ a b Parsonson, Andrew (2025-04-25). "MaiaSpace Selects Łukasiewicz–ILOT to Develop Kick-Stage Engine". European Spaceflight. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
- ^ a b Parsonson, Andrew (2025-03-21). "MaiaSpace Has Secured Its First Commercial Customer". European Spaceflight. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
- ^ "Missions". Maiaspace. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
- ^ a b Parsonson, Andrew (2025-04-07). "Where SkyHopper Fits into ArianeGroup's Reusability Efforts". European Spaceflight. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
- ^ Pieniążek, Joanna (2024-04-17). "GRACE project: Successful tests of the satellite drive engine". Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz - Instytut Lotnictwa. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
- ^ Pieniążek, Joanna (2025-04-23). "MaiaSpace signs an agreement with Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation and Thaliana Space to deliver more eco-responsible bi-propellant rocket engines". Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz - Instytut Lotnictwa. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
- ^ Parsonson, Andrew (2025-01-23). "Interview with MaiaSpace CEO Yohann Leroy". Europe in Space. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
- ^ Parsonson, Andrew (2024-09-26). "MaiaSpace Tapped to Take Over Soyuz Site in French Guiana". European Spaceflight. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
- ^ "MaiaSpace selected to operate from former Soyuz launch pad in French Guiana". Maiaspace. Retrieved 2025-07-08.