United Launch Alliance (ULA) is preparing to launch a batch of nearly 30 satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper internet constellation on Thursday morning. The mission, utilizing an Atlas V rocket, is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, marking a busy day for the Space Coast with another launch planned by SpaceX.
Key Takeaways
- United Launch Alliance will use an Atlas V 551 rocket for the mission.
- The payload consists of 27 satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper network.
- The launch is scheduled for Thursday from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral.
- Weather conditions are highly favorable, with a 95% chance of acceptable weather.
- Project Kuiper aims to build a constellation of over 3,200 satellites for global internet service.
Launch Details and Schedule
The mission is scheduled to lift off from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. According to ULA, the launch window opens at 8:09 a.m. ET on Thursday, September 24, 2025, and will remain open for 29 minutes. This timing places it near the end of a launch window for a separate SpaceX mission, creating a rare "double launch day" for Florida's Space Coast.
Weather is not expected to be a concern for the morning launch. ULA has confirmed that the forecast from the U.S. Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45 weather squadron is excellent.
"The forecast from the U.S. Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45 weather squadron for Thursday morning's launch of Atlas V indicates a 95 percent chance of acceptable conditions," ULA stated in a release.
This high probability of favorable weather increases the likelihood that the launch will proceed on schedule, contributing to the busy manifest of launches from the Cape.
A Busy Day on the Space Coast
A double launch day, involving two different launch providers like ULA and SpaceX, highlights the increasing launch cadence at Cape Canaveral. This rapid pace of operations demonstrates the growing capacity and efficiency of the launch facilities, which are critical for deploying large satellite constellations and supporting both commercial and government missions.
The Project Kuiper Mission
The primary objective of this flight is to deploy 27 satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper. This initiative is Amazon's ambitious plan to create a vast network of satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO) designed to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to unserved and underserved communities around the world.
Similar in concept to SpaceX's Starlink network, Project Kuiper aims to close the digital divide by offering internet connectivity in rural, remote, and hard-to-reach areas. The successful deployment of these satellites will significantly expand the operational capacity of the growing constellation.
Before this mission, the Project Kuiper constellation consisted of 102 satellites. This launch will increase that number by more than 25%, bringing the total to 129 satellites in orbit as Amazon continues to build out its network infrastructure.
Constellation at Scale
Amazon's long-term plan for Project Kuiper involves a constellation of more than 3,200 satellites. This massive network is designed to ensure continuous global coverage and reliable internet service for customers once it is fully operational.
Atlas V Rocket and Flight Profile
The launch vehicle for this mission is ULA's Atlas V 551 rocket. This is one of the most powerful configurations of the highly reliable Atlas V family. The "551" designation indicates a 5-meter payload fairing, five solid rocket boosters attached to the first stage, and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.
The five solid rocket boosters provide the additional thrust needed to carry the heavy payload of 27 satellites into their designated orbit. The Atlas V has a long and successful history, making it a trusted choice for critical missions.
Booster Recovery and Mission Trajectory
Unlike the reusable Falcon 9 rockets operated by SpaceX, the first-stage booster of the Atlas V is not designed for recovery and reuse. After completing its burn and separating from the upper stage, the booster will follow a ballistic trajectory and fall into the Atlantic Ocean.
Recovery crews will be positioned to retrieve the booster from the water, but it will not be refurbished for a future flight. The rocket's trajectory will carry the payload eastward over the Atlantic as it ascends toward its target low-Earth orbit for satellite deployment.
The Future of Satellite Internet
This launch represents another significant step in the race to build out global satellite internet services. Companies like Amazon and SpaceX are investing billions of dollars to deploy thousands of satellites, fundamentally changing the landscape of global telecommunications.
These LEO constellations offer several advantages over traditional geostationary satellites, including significantly lower latency, which is crucial for applications like online gaming, video conferencing, and other real-time services. As more satellites are deployed, competition in the satellite internet market is expected to increase, potentially leading to better services and more competitive pricing for consumers worldwide.
The successful deployment of these 27 Kuiper satellites will bring Amazon closer to its goal of activating its service and beginning to connect customers. Each launch is a critical milestone in constructing a complex network that will operate from space to serve people on the ground.
