A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket successfully launched from Florida on Thursday, September 25, carrying the third group of satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper. The mission, which lifted off at 8:09 a.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, deployed 27 satellites into low Earth orbit, advancing Amazon's plan to create a global broadband internet network.
Key Takeaways
- Mission Success: ULA's Atlas V rocket launched successfully at 8:09 a.m. on September 25, 2025, from Launch Complex 41 in Florida.
- Payload: The rocket carried 27 satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper, a satellite internet constellation.
- Constellation Progress: This launch marks the third operational deployment for the Kuiper network, significantly increasing the number of satellites in orbit.
- Strategic Goal: Project Kuiper aims to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to unserved and underserved communities globally.
Successful Liftoff from Cape Canaveral
Under clear morning skies, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket ignited its engines and ascended from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch occurred precisely at its scheduled 8:09 a.m. window, a moment witnessed by spectators gathered at viewing locations like Space View Park in Titusville.
The mission, designated Kuiper-3, is a critical step in the large-scale deployment of Amazon's ambitious satellite internet project. The Atlas V, a veteran launch vehicle with a long history of reliability, performed its role as expected, carrying the payload of 27 satellites toward their intended orbit.
This launch continues a partnership between Amazon and ULA, leveraging the Atlas V's capabilities to build out the foundational infrastructure of the Kuiper network. Each successful mission brings Amazon closer to activating its commercial service.
Understanding Amazon's Project Kuiper
Project Kuiper is Amazon's initiative to build a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). The primary objective is to deliver fast, affordable broadband internet to a wide range of customers, including households, businesses, and government agencies in locations without reliable internet access.
What is a Satellite Constellation?
A satellite constellation is a group of artificial satellites working together as a system. For internet services like Project Kuiper, thousands of small satellites orbit the Earth at a relatively low altitude (LEO), which reduces signal travel time and provides lower latency compared to traditional geostationary satellites.
Amazon plans to deploy a total of 3,236 satellites to complete its initial network. The company is investing billions of dollars into the project, which includes not only the satellites but also ground infrastructure and affordable customer terminals.
The Race for Global Connectivity
Amazon's project enters a competitive field dominated by SpaceX's Starlink, which already has thousands of operational satellites. Project Kuiper aims to differentiate itself by leveraging Amazon's global logistics and manufacturing capabilities to produce satellites and customer terminals at scale.
According to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements, Amazon must deploy at least half of its planned constellation by mid-2026. This regulatory deadline drives the aggressive launch schedule seen with missions like Kuiper-3.
The Role of the Atlas V Rocket
The choice of ULA's Atlas V for these early missions highlights the rocket's established record of success. With over 90 consecutive successful launches, the Atlas V provides the reliability needed for deploying valuable satellite payloads.
Atlas V Launch Vehicle
The Atlas V is an expendable launch system in the Atlas rocket family. First launched in 2002, it has been a workhorse for NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, and commercial customers, launching everything from Mars rovers to national security payloads.
While the Atlas V is being used for the initial Kuiper launches, Amazon has secured a massive launch manifest with multiple providers for the bulk of its constellation. This includes a significant number of launches on ULA's next-generation rocket, the Vulcan Centaur, as well as rockets from Arianespace and Blue Origin.
"Reliable, heavy-lift launch capacity is essential for a project of this scale. Our partnerships with providers like ULA are fundamental to our deployment schedule and our goal of connecting the unconnected," an Amazon spokesperson stated in a recent press release.
Building a Global Network from Orbit
The 27 satellites from the Kuiper-3 mission will now undergo a series of in-orbit checks and maneuvers. Once operational, they will join the previously launched satellites, expanding the network's coverage and capacity.
The deployment strategy involves placing satellites into different orbital planes to ensure continuous global coverage. As more satellites are added, the network becomes more robust, capable of serving more customers simultaneously with consistent performance.
Key Milestones for Project Kuiper:
- Prototype Satellites: Two prototype satellites, KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2, were launched in late 2023 to test the technology in space.
- Mass Production: Amazon opened a dedicated satellite manufacturing facility in Kirkland, Washington, to produce up to four satellites per day.
- First Deployments: The first operational batches began launching in 2025, marking the start of full-scale constellation build-out.
- Service Activation: Amazon plans to begin offering initial services to early customers once a critical mass of satellites is in orbit.
The successful launch of the third batch is a significant operational milestone. It demonstrates that Amazon's manufacturing and launch cadence is ramping up to meet the demands of building one of the world's largest satellite constellations in just a few years.