iQPS selects MaiaSpace for multiple Launch Services Opportunities
Partner
10.09.2026
Paris, September 9th, 2026
Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (“iQPS”), the Japanese satellite manufacturer and operator of a SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite constellation, has selected MaiaSpace, a pioneering European launch services provider, to ensure reliable access to Low Earth Orbits.
The agreement covers the launch of iQPS’ high-resolution small SAR satellites in multiple configurations and orbits starting in 2029.
With its sixth commercial agreement secured in just 17 months, MaiaSpace is also entering into its first long-term partnership with a customer from the Asia-Pacific region, making an important step in its ambition to serve the global small satellite market.
With a 3.5-meter-diameter fairing and a payload capacity of up to 4 tons, Maia is designed to accommodate a broad range of missions. The optional Colibri kick stage further expands its capabilities, providing greater flexibility for complex orbital requirements. From the Guiana Space Center, Maia can reach a wide range of orbital inclinations, from Sun-synchronous to inclined orbits, making it especially suited to deploying and replenishing satellite constellations.
iQPS develops and operates QPS-SAR, world-class small SAR satellites, and providing high-resolution imagery that enables the observation of designated targets in all weather conditions, day or night. The company aims to offer a global “Near-Real-Time Data Provision Service” capable of observing target areas almost anywhere in the world at an average interval of 10 minutes, by building a large-scale satellite constellation with 24 satellites by May 2028 and deploying additional satellites by 2030.
The agreement builds on a long-standing relationship of trust between MaiaSpace and iQPS and reflects a strong operational fit of MaiaSpace’s flexible launch model, able to propose any kind of launch configurations – from dedicated to shared or auxiliary missions – with iQPS’ high-resolution SAR satellites requirements.
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We are honored to be selected by iQPS to fulfill their launch needs, confirming the strong commercial momentum of MaiaSpace on the global satellite market. This contract reflects the competitiveness and versatility of Maia, whose reusable and expendable configurations, combined with the Colibri kick stage, can serve efficiently a wide range of missions – from single satellite launches to constellation deployment and replenishment, across multiple orbits. This modularity supports our ambition to become a leading global player in the Low Earth Orbit launch market, with a target of around 20 launches per year by the early 2030s
To meet the immense global demand for QPS-SAR data, we have expanded our plan to a large-scale constellation of over 36 satellites. Reliable launch partners are essential to maximize our deployment speed. Therefore, we are thrilled to secure diverse launch opportunities with MaiaSpace, a partner built on proven European space technologies. By enabling highly flexible orbit selections, they will powerfully boost our constellation deployment and expand our satellite lineup. We will continue aggressively securing launch opportunities to evolve Near-Real-Time Observation into a global infrastructure.
ABOUT MAIASPACE
Founded in April 2022, MaiaSpace designs, manufactures, commercializes and operates the first reusable and eco-designed mini launcher in Europe, which prefigurates the future family of sovereign and competitive European launch vehicles. MaiaSpace leverages the best of both worlds: drawing on the excellence and expertise of the historic European space sector, especially that of its mother company ArianeGroup, while maintaining the speed, agility and culture of risk of a start-up. Powered with liquid oxygen and liquid bio-methane, MaiaSpace’s launcher has a lift-off capacity of up to 4,000 kg in Low-Earth Orbit, depending on the launcher version (expendable or reusable), the inclination and the use of its Colibri kick-stage. The development of Maia is led by 400 MaiaSpacers working with industrial partners based in France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria and Poland.
ABOUT iQPS
Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), a subsidiary of QPS Holdings (TSE: 464A), is a space technology company founded in Kyushu in 2005. The company develops and internally operates QPS-SAR, world-class small SAR satellites capable of capturing high-resolution imagery 24/7 in all weather conditions. Manufacturing is supported by the technological prowess of over 25 partner companies nationwide, primarily centered in northern Kyushu. Empowered by a patented deployable parabolic antenna that achieves 1/100 the cost and 1/20 the mass of conventional models, the iQPS fleet includes over 10 operational satellites, highlighted by the recent deployment of QPS-SAR-18. Accelerating toward a large-scale constellation of over 36 satellites by 2030, iQPS is revolutionizing earth observation to establish a global “Near-Real-Time Data Provision Service.” By achieving average 10-minute observation intervals, it provides critical infrastructure for disaster response and market intelligence worldwide.