United Launch Alliance (ULA) is preparing to launch Amazon’s second batch of satellites for the Kuiper internet satellite constellation today, June 16, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch is scheduled for 1:25 p.m. EDT (1725 GMT) and is expected to be broadcast live.
This mission, which features 27 satellites aboard an Atlas V rocket, follows the successful launch of the first set of satellites in April, also on an Atlas V. Amazon’s ambitious Project Kuiper aims to establish an extensive network of over 3,200 satellites in low Earth orbit, providing fast and reliable internet access to communities around the globe. The overall plan involves 83 launches utilizing various rockets, including ULA’s Vulcan, Blue Origin’s New Glenn, and Arianespace’s Ariane 6.
Weather conditions are looking favorable for the launch, with a 75% chance of acceptable conditions, although cumulus cloud cover poses a potential concern. If all goes smoothly, the Atlas V’s two RD-180 engines and five solid rocket boosters will propel the rocket for the initial minute and 46 seconds. After the boosters detach, the fairing that protects the Kuiper satellites will jettison three minutes post-launch.
Once the RD-180 engines shut down at approximately 4 minutes and 23 seconds in, the booster and upper stage will separate, with a Centaur engine then carrying the payload into orbit, concluding its thrust at about 18 minutes.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper is set to revolutionize global internet access, paving the way for improved connectivity in underserved regions. As technology continues to advance, such initiatives hold the promise of bridging significant gaps in digital communication.