SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched two Galileo navigation satellites into orbit on April 27th, 2024, under a veil of secrecy. The mission, shrouded in unusual confidentiality, marks a significant development in the European Union’s space program and highlights the growing reliance on commercial launch providers like SpaceX.
Launch Details and Secrecy
The Falcon 9 lifted off from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A, carrying the Galileo GM25 and FM27 satellites for the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). In a departure from typical SpaceX launches, the event was not livestreamed after stage separation, and the company provided limited information, deferring to the customer for updates.
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This level of secrecy is uncommon for Galileo launches, which have historically been more transparent. Neither the European Commission nor the European Space Agency publicized the launch beforehand, and post-launch statements avoided mentioning the use of a Falcon 9 rocket.
Europe’s “Launcher Crisis” and Reliance on SpaceX
The decision to utilize SpaceX’s Falcon 9 comes amidst a “launcher crisis” within Europe. With the retirement of Ariane 5, the unavailability of Soyuz rockets due to geopolitical situations, and delays in the Ariane 6 program, the EU has found itself without independent launch capabilities for its critical Galileo satellites.
Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, acknowledged the reliance on external launch providers while emphasizing the importance of the Galileo program for both civilian and military applications. This launch signifies the second instance of Europe turning to SpaceX for institutional missions, following the launch of the Euclid space telescope in July 2023.
SpaceX Achieves Milestone with Falcon 9
For SpaceX, this mission marked the 20th flight for the Falcon 9 booster B1060, tying a reusability record. However, due to the demanding requirements of placing the Galileo satellites into medium Earth orbit, the booster was not recovered, ending a streak of 146 consecutive Falcon 9 landings.
The company emphasized its commitment to increasing the reusability of its Falcon fleet, highlighting that this mission was the 200th to use previously flown payload fairings.
This launch underscores the growing role of commercial space companies like SpaceX in supporting government and institutional space programs. With Europe’s “launcher crisis” expected to continue in the near future, further collaborations with SpaceX are anticipated for upcoming Galileo satellite launches and other European space missions
