Launch Advances Amazon’s Satellite Network
United Launch Alliance completed another major step in building Amazon’s satellite-internet system, sending 27 Amazon Leo spacecraft into low Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The predawn launch used an Atlas V rocket, a trusted workhorse nearing the end of its operational life. Amazon Leo, previously known as Project Kuiper, aims to create a global broadband network supported by thousands of satellites deployed over dozens of missions.
The launch marked the seventh operational mission for the program and continued the rapid buildout of Amazon’s constellation. While the flight streamed live only through the early phase, ULA confirmed that the mission progressed as expected, with satellite deployment planned roughly 20 minutes after liftoff. The Atlas V has carried Amazon spacecraft several times before and remains a key part of the company’s launch strategy as it transitions toward newer rockets.
A Constellation Designed for Global Coverage
Amazon intends for Leo to eventually include about 3,200 satellites, making it one of the largest planned communications constellations in orbit. More than 150 operational satellites were already in space prior to this mission, not counting earlier test units. The company has secured more than 80 total launch contracts across multiple providers, an unusually broad launch strategy designed to reduce risk and accelerate deployment.
Once operational, the network will offer internet connectivity to households, businesses and underserved regions worldwide. Amazon plans to compete directly with SpaceX’s Starlink system, which currently dominates the satellite broadband market and continues to expand. Starlink’s constellation surpassed 9,000 satellites this year, including more than 3,000 launched in recent months alone. Amazon’s approach, while moving at a steadier pace, involves partnerships with a mix of U.S. and international launch providers to ensure steady rollout.
Atlas V Nears Retirement as New Rockets Take Over
The Atlas V rocket used in Tuesday’s flight has been an industry mainstay since its debut more than two decades ago. Known for its reliability, the rocket has played a central role in deploying military payloads, scientific missions and now commercial satellite networks. ULA is gradually retiring the rocket in favor of its new Vulcan Centaur system, which has already completed several missions and is expected to handle more Amazon launches in the future.
Amazon has booked rides on a wide variety of rockets, including ULA’s Vulcan Centaur, Arianespace’s Ariane 6, Blue Origin’s New Glenn and SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The inclusion of SpaceX is notable, as the company is both a launch provider and the main competitor in the satellite-internet market. Despite the rivalry, Amazon is relying on Falcon 9’s heavy flight cadence to help accelerate Leo’s deployment. As the program matures, launches are expected to become more frequent, allowing the constellation to reach its initial operational capability within the next several years.
Growing Competition in Low Earth Orbit
The satellite-internet sector is entering a period of intense activity as companies race to bring high-speed connectivity to global customers. Amazon’s latest launch underscores its commitment to creating an alternative to Starlink, while other firms — including OneWeb and emerging regional providers — continue to invest in their own networks. The competition is pushing operators toward higher launch rates, more efficient spacecraft and expanded ground-based infrastructure.
For Amazon, the success of these early deployment missions is essential. Each batch of satellites strengthens the underlying architecture and moves the company closer to live service testing. With thousands more spacecraft to be launched, partners across the U.S. and Europe are preparing for a sustained period of high-volume missions. As the Atlas V begins its retirement phase, upcoming launches on Vulcan Centaur and other rockets will help determine how quickly Amazon Leo can reach full operational scale.
