The European Union agreed to pay a 30 percent premium for Falcon 9 launches.

cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/16513363

The European Union has reached an agreement with the United States that will allow for the launch of four Galileo navigation satellites on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

Due to the extra overhead related to the national security mission, the European Union agreed to pay 180 million euros for the two launches, or about $196 million. This represents about a 30 percent premium over the standard launch price of $67 million for a Falcon 9 launch.

Somewhat to the ESA’s embarrassment, the continent has had to purchase several launches from its direct competitor in launch, SpaceX, during the last two years. In 2023, Europe launched its Euclid space telescope on a Falcon 9 rocket, and later this year, an ESA Earth observation satellite and an ESA asteroid probe will launch on Falcon 9 missions.

However, this lack of access to space should come to an end soon. The ESA has shipped stages of the first flight hardware for the Ariane 6 rocket to its French Guiana spaceport. While the ESA has not set a specific launch date, it is working toward a window that extends from June 15 through July 31.

  • burble@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    7·
    8 months ago

    Getting through the first launch and getting to an operational cadence are totally different stories, though. Europe really needs some of their launch startups to succeed and shake things up, because the status quo is failing.

  • AutoTL;DR@lemmings.worldBEnglish
    2·
    8 months ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:

    The European Union has reached an agreement with the United States that will allow for the launch of four Galileo navigation satellites on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

    According to Politico, the security agreement permits staff working for the EU and European Space Agency to have access to the launch pad at all times and, should there be a mishap with the mission, the first opportunity to retrieve debris.

    The Florida launches will be the first time Galileo satellites, which are used for civilian and military purposes, have been exported outside of European territory.

    This booster was originally due to make its debut four years ago, but the new rocket has undergone several development and technical delays.

    Europe’s launcher crisis became acute last year when the continent retired its long-flying Ariane 5 rocket, leaving it without a ready replacement.

    While the ESA has not set a specific launch date, it is working toward a window that extends from June 15 through July 31.

    The original article contains 488 words, the summary contains 162 words. Saved 67%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!