A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched on Sunday, carrying 20 satellites for Eutelsat, the world's third-largest satellite operator by revenue. This launch marks the first mission for Eutelsat since its merger with OneWeb last year.

The rocket took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 0513 GMT, sending the Eutelsat satellites into orbit. These satellites will bolster Eutelsat's communications network, which already includes over 600 low earth orbit satellites providing services to broadcasters, telecom companies, and radio stations.

"This is the first OneWeb launch of the satellites since the merger," said Eva Berneke, CEO of Eutelsat, in an interview with Reuters. "We will be launching more satellites over the coming years."

The merger of France's Eutelsat and Britain's OneWeb, finalized in September 2022, has positioned the company as a significant player in the satellite communications market. Berneke emphasized the company's desire to integrate with the existing telecommunications ecosystem, stating, "Satellites are an interesting niche in the overall connectivity ecosystems where telcos are the big boys in the class and satellite will always be a smaller part."

Eutelsat boasts a diverse clientele of telecom operators, including France's Orange and Australia's Telstra, and is actively seeking partnerships with other major players like AT&T in the US. With a backlog of orders valued at $4 billion, Eutelsat anticipates growth in the Indian and Saudi Arabian markets.

One key area of focus for Eutelsat is the burgeoning Indian market, projected to grow 36% annually and reach $1.9 billion by 2030. The company is awaiting regulatory approvals in India to commence operations and has already earmarked a portion of its backlog for this promising market.

In addition to expanding its reach in traditional markets, Eutelsat is also exploring new opportunities in aviation, aiming to provide in-flight connectivity services including internet browsing. Berneke expects revenue to start increasing from next year.