SpaceX will launch 2 Galileo satellites into MEO from Europe’s Galileo navigation system on Saturday, April 27. The launch window is from 5:34 PM – 6:11 PM PDT
Though SpaceX has not publicly announced this mission, a National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency navigational warning shows this launch window will open Saturday, April 27, 2024.
- Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch Galileo satellites for the European Space Agency’s global navigation system from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
- Launch window: 8:29 p.m. to 9:11 p.m. EDT Saturday, April 27, 2024
- Location: Launch pad 39A
Galileo is currently the world’s most precise satellite navigation system, serving over four billion smartphone users around the globe since entering Open Service in 2017. All smartphones sold in the European Single Market are now guaranteed Galileo-enabled. In addition, Galileo is making a difference across the fields of rail, maritime, agriculture, financial timing services and rescue operations.
A flagship program of the European Union (EU), Galileo is managed and funded by the European Commission. Since its inception, ESA leads the design, development and qualification of the space and ground systems, as well as procuring launches. ESA is also entrusted with research and development activities for the future of Galileo within the EU program Horizon Europe. The EU Agency for the Space Program (EUSPA) acts as the service provider, overseeing the market and application needs and closing the loop with users.