A new chapter in satellite internet services commenced yesterday as a United Launch Alliance (ULA) rocket deployed Project Kuiper satellites for Amazon.
The launch, which occurred precisely at 7:01 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on April 28th from the historic Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, signifies the beginning of the full-scale deployment phase for Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite constellation.
This mission represents more than just another successful flight for the veteran Atlas V; it marks the operational start of one of the largest commercial space partnerships ever conceived. Amazon has contracted ULA to deliver a substantial portion of its planned low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellation, which aims to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet access to communities worldwide currently lacking reliable service.
Following the successful deployment and testing of two prototype satellites, Kuipersat-1 and Kuipersat-2, launched in October 2023, this Kuiper-1 mission initiates the complex task of building out the full operational network.
Amazon aims to deploy over 3,200 satellites in LEO over the coming years, placing it in direct competition with existing services like SpaceX’s Starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb.
Gary Wentz, VP of Government and Commercial Programmes at ULA, said: “This launch is an incredible milestone in Amazon’s ambitious initiative to provide fast, reliable broadband service to unserved and underserved communities around the world.
“We have worked diligently with the Project Kuiper team to place this important mission in orbit and are grateful for the opportunity to continue building upon this dynamic partnership.”
The partnership between Amazon and ULA is extensive. Beyond this initial flight and another seven missions planned using the reliable Atlas V rocket, Project Kuiper will be a major customer for ULA’s next-generation launch vehicle, the Vulcan Centaur.
Amazon has secured 38 launches aboard Vulcan, tasking ULA with deploying more than half of the entire Kuiper constellation. This arrangement constitutes the largest commercial launch agreement in history by number of launches, underscoring the scale of Amazon’s undertaking and ULA’s central role in enabling it.
To meet the demands of such a high-tempo launch schedule, ULA has been actively upgrading its facilities at Cape Canaveral.
Tory Bruno, President and CEO of ULA, explained: “We have been steadily modifying our launch facilities in Cape Canaveral to support the capacity for future Project Kuiper missions in a manner that will ultimately benefit both our commercial and government customers as we endeavour to save lives, explore the universe, and connect the world.
“The addition of a second launch processing capability allows for dual, simultaneous launch processing between both integration facilities seamlessly.”
This capability will be crucial as ULA balances its commitments to Project Kuiper alongside its long-standing role as a key launch provider for US national security missions. For two decades, ULA has been entrusted with launching critical defence and intelligence satellites—often to complex orbits requiring high precision.
The development and introduction of the Vulcan rocket represent ULA’s expansion into the commercial LEO market. Vulcan’s modular design is intended to offer flexible and efficient launch options for various customers, including large constellation deployments like Project Kuiper, while continuing to serve government needs.
ULA views this evolution as essential for maintaining its position in an increasingly competitive launch environment, leveraging its heritage while embracing new commercial opportunities. As the company itself suggests, with further technological innovations planned, “the sky is definitely not the limit.”
(Image credit: ULA)
See also: FCC chair calls EU satellite strategy ‘anti-American’
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