United Launch Alliance and the Atlas V delivers for Amazon

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fl - This morning, June 23, 2025 and less than 30 minutes after sunrise, United Launch Alliance (U.L.A.) lit the engines on one of the few remaining Atlas V rockets with 5 solid rocket propellent boosters off from Launch Complex 41.

This launch marks the 103rd consecutive mission for the Atlas V and the second launch for 2025 for U.L.A.

Image Credit:  Graham Smith - We Report Space

This mission carried the second group of Kuiper communications satellites into a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) that will provide fast and reliable internet communications to customers normally unable to utilize this technology via common means.

Image Credit:  Graham Smith - We Report Space

In a statement from U.L.A.: “We are proud to continue our strong partnership with Amazon and empower their mission to bridge the digital divide through reliable satellite technology,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “ULA, working as a catalyst to global connectivity in collaboration with Amazon, enables delivery of these critical satellites designed to drive innovation and connect the world.”

This second flight carried 27 additional Kuiper satellites to join the already expanding satellites already in orbit. Eventually, there will be up to 3200 Kuiper satellites orbiting in 3 different layers ranging from 590 Km-630 Km.

These satellites will be similar to the offerings of SpaceX Starlink satellites, in that the Kuiper satellites will offer fast internet services to areas that are underserved with current lack of connectivity. Additionally, Amazon will be able to expand their web services called Amazon Web Services (A.W.S.).

U.L.A. currently has 8 more Atlas V launches left for hoisting Kuiper satellites before the transition to Vulcan is finalized.

While U.L.A. lofted this group of satellites, SpaceX has a series of launches scheduled for the Kuiper constellation; Blue Origin and their New Glen rocket are also in the mix for future Kuiper launches as well as Ariane Space.

Initially, the Kuiper satellites will end up in orbit at about 390 miles above the earth, with service to people when about 580 satellites have been deployed and are fully operational.

With this launch, it will mark the 250th time a Centaur coupled to an Atlas has been launched

Image Credit:  Graham Smith - We Report Space

There will be a total of eight Kuiper missions, including KA-02, to be flown on the Atlas V before the history books close on Atlas’s storied career.

Project Kuiper is being spread over various rockets and locations, 38 missions on ULA Vulcans, 18 aboard the Ariane launch crafts, New Glenn will carry another 12 launches, and three launches aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9.

Article Credit: Graham Smith - We Report Space

Image Credits: Graham Smith – We Report Space

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