SpaceX, the private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company led by Elon Musk, has reportedly secured a significant contract to launch up to four navigation and secure communications satellites for Europe.
The deal, which is poised to bolster Europe’s space endeavors, is still awaiting final approval from the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, in conjunction with EU member states. Citing officials close to the matter, the report highlights that these regulatory checks are the last remaining steps before the agreement can be formalized.
This latest development comes on the heels of an agreement recently inked between SpaceX and the European Space Agency (ESA), which outlines plans for two satellite launches scheduled for next year. Each launch will carry two Galileo satellites, a vital component of Europe’s navigation infrastructure. Javier Benedicto, the director of navigation at the European Space Agency, confirmed these details to The Wall Street Journal.
Under the terms of the agreement, the selected satellites will be transported into orbit using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. This collaboration marks another significant step in the expanding partnership between SpaceX and European space agencies.
As of now, neither SpaceX nor the European Commission has provided an official statement or comment regarding this new deal, leaving many in the industry eager to hear more about this exciting collaboration.
