Paris - SpaceX has signed an agreement to put no more than four European flagship navigation and security communication satellites into orbit, consolidating the growing influence of the company led by Elon Musk in the region, where local competitors face challenges in rocket launches.
Javier Benedicto, director of navigation at the European Space Agency, said that SpaceX and the agency have recently signed an agreement to conduct two launches next year, each carrying two Galileo satellites. The EU administrative body, the European Commission, and EU member states still need to give final approval to the agreement. Officials say the approval is likely to be completed by the end of this year.
Benedicto stated that the agreement requires the use of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket to launch satellites from the United States. SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment. The spokesperson for the European Commission said that the Commission is taking all necessary measures to ensure that the Galileo satellite positioning system continues to provide excellent services in the coming months and years.
The Galileo satellite has significant strategic significance for the European Union. These satellites support the EU's satellite navigation system, enabling it to be independent of the US Global Positioning System and China. These satellites also handle encrypted communication used by European governments.