SpaceX Secures Deal to Launch European Navigation Satellites

SpaceX has signed a contract with the European Space Agency to launch up to four Galileo navigation satellites in 2024. The deal calls for the satellites to launch atop Falcon 9 rockets from the US, marking the first time that SpaceX launches EU satellites carrying classified equipment. This agreement comes after Europe ended most of its space cooperation with Russia and the retirement of the Ariane 5 rocket. The European Commission and EU member states still need to give final approval for the deal. Galileo is Europe's equivalent of GPS and currently consists of 23 operational satellites, with plans to have a total of 30 in its final form.