A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas 5 rocket successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on September 25, 2025, carrying 27 satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper. This mission, the third dedicated launch of production satellites for the internet constellation, increases the total number of Kuiper satellites in orbit to 129.
The launch is a key step in Amazon's plan to build a low Earth orbit network designed to provide global broadband internet access. The company aims to begin offering services in several countries by early 2026.
Key Takeaways
- ULA's Atlas 5 rocket launched 27 Project Kuiper satellites for Amazon.
- The launch increases the total Kuiper constellation size to 129 satellites in low Earth orbit.
- The mission lifted off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
- Amazon is targeting initial service in the U.S., Canada, and parts of Europe by the first quarter of 2026.
Mission Details and Launch Sequence
The Atlas 5 rocket lifted off at 8:09 a.m. EDT. The vehicle flew in its most powerful 551 configuration, which includes five solid rocket boosters to provide additional thrust. According to ULA's flight plan, these boosters were jettisoned less than two minutes into the flight.
The rocket's single RD-180 engine continued to power the first stage, propelling the payload toward its initial orbit. The deployment of the 27 satellites began approximately 20 minutes after liftoff and was completed about 15 minutes later. This carefully choreographed sequence ensures each satellite separates cleanly from the launch vehicle.
Initial Deployment Orbit
The satellites were released into an initial orbit at an altitude of 280 miles (450 kilometers). From this position, they will use their own propulsion systems to move to their final operational altitude.
From Deployment to Operation
Following the successful separation, control of the satellites was transferred to Amazon's Project Kuiper mission operations center in Redmond, Washington. The team there will conduct a series of health checks on each satellite to ensure all systems are functioning correctly after the rigors of launch.
Once confirmed to be healthy, the satellites will begin the process of orbit-raising. They will use onboard thrusters to climb to their final operational altitude of 392 miles (630 kilometers), where they will become part of the active constellation.
Expanding the Kuiper Constellation
This launch is part of a massive campaign by Amazon to deploy its satellite internet network. With 129 satellites now in orbit, the company is steadily building toward the capacity needed to offer commercial service.
What is Project Kuiper?
Project Kuiper is Amazon's initiative to build a constellation of thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). The goal is to provide fast, affordable broadband internet to unserved and underserved communities around the world, competing with services like SpaceX's Starlink.
Amazon has ambitious goals for the near future. According to Ricky Freeman, president of Project Kuiper Government Solutions, the company anticipates having more than 200 satellites in orbit by the end of 2025. This rapid deployment is crucial for meeting regulatory deadlines and initiating service.
"Our goal is to establish coverage in 57 countries in 2027 and close to 100 countries before 2028 ends," Freeman stated during an address at World Space Business Week.
The company has already begun securing customers. Earlier this month, Amazon announced that JetBlue will be its first airline partner, with plans to offer Kuiper-based internet service on its aircraft starting in 2027.
A Fleet of Rockets for Deployment
To achieve its deployment goals, Amazon has secured a diverse portfolio of launch vehicles from multiple providers, one of the largest commercial launch procurement deals in history. This strategy mitigates the risk of relying on a single rocket.
The manifest includes:
- United Launch Alliance: 5 more Atlas 5 flights and 38 launches of its new Vulcan rocket.
- SpaceX: 1 more Falcon 9 launch.
- Arianespace: 18 launches on the Ariane 6 rocket.
- Blue Origin: Between 12 and 27 launches on the New Glenn rocket.
ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno has previously stated that the Vulcan rocket can carry up to 45 Kuiper satellites on a single mission. Achieving the 200-satellite target by year's end could involve a combination of the remaining Atlas 5, Falcon 9, and potentially the first Vulcan-Kuiper mission.
As of September 12, Amazon confirmed it had more than 80 satellites prepared and waiting at its processing facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, indicating a steady pipeline for upcoming launches.
Timeline for Global Service
Amazon is working toward an aggressive timeline for activating its network. The company expects to begin offering initial services to customers in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
This initial rollout will be followed by a rapid expansion. The company's public statements indicate a strategy to scale coverage quickly, aiming to serve nearly 100 countries within the next four years. This launch brings Amazon one step closer to that goal.