Timelapse of the launch of Amazon Leo AL-04 early this morning. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville.
One down, ten to go: United Launch Alliance launched an Atlas V 551 this morning from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral in partly cloudy cool winter skies. Launch was at the top of the window, 3:28 AM ET.
Aboard the venerable rocket were 27 Amazon Leo satellites, which will now join the other 152 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) as Amazon begins building its orbital-based Internet service offering. The company plans for over 3,200 in its full constellation, aiming for initial service by early 2026.
“One of our primary missions at ULA is to be a catalyst in connecting the world,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Atlas and Vulcan programs. “Partnering with Amazon contributes to their mission of bridging the global digital gap. We thank the Amazon Leo team for their continued collaboration.”
Atlas V lifts off from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on December 16, 2025 Photo: Charles Boyer
Trajectory was northeastward, at roughly 44-45º, aiming for a final orbit inclination of around 51.9º at roughly 630 km (391 miles.)
Tonight’s launch leaves only ten Atlas V’s remaining: six for Starliner, four more for Amazon Leo. The rocket has been in service for over 23 years, since its inaugural launch on August 21, 2002. Originally designed and developed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Air Force’s EELV program, with manufacturing/operations later consolidated under ULA. It has launched over 100 missions to date, but will be replaced by the new ULA-designed Vulcan rocket.
Launch Replay
Next Launch
Next Launch: Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-99
Go for LaunchKennedy Space Center • LC-39A
Mission
Starlink Group 6-99 (29 satellites)
Organization
SpaceX
Rocket
Falcon 9
Launch Site
Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA
Pad
Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A)
Window Opens
Wednesday, 12/17/2025 • 7:19:00 AM (ET)
Window Closes
Wednesday, 12/17/2025 • 11:19:00 AM (ET)
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Status Info
Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Mission Description
A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation — SpaceX’s
project for a space-based Internet communication system.
Countdown (to window open)
—
As of:— (your local time)
Launch times are subject to change due to weather, range operations, and mission requirements.
Liftoff of Atlas V on the Amazon Leo 4 Photo: United Launch Alliance
SpaceX Kuiper KF-03 timelapse, October 13, 2025 Photo: Charles Boyer
After multiple delays due to weather, the skies cooperated this evening for SpaceX, allowing the company to launch Falcon 9 and 24 Kuiper telecommunications satellites for Amazon. Liftoff was at 9:58 PM ET.
After flying straight and true throughout its part of the mission, after staging, Booster B1091-2 landed aboard ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ downrange in the Atlantic Ocean off of the coast of the Carolinas at T+ 00:08:18 of the flight.
Meanwhile the second stage and payload continued their ascent until the T+08:30:00 mark when the first second stage shutdown occurred. Another burn is scheduled for the T+00:52:50 mark, and payload deployment is slated to begin shortly after that.
This was the third and final mission for Project Kuiper hardware to launch aboard a Falcon 9, and SpaceX’s 133rd mission for 2025. All-time, SpaceX has flown 546 missions.
Payload
Amazon now has 153 Kuiper spacecraft in orbit.
The Kuiper project is Amazon’s initiative to provide broadband internet service through a constellation of satellites. Today’s launch is the sixth of a series that aims to meet the conditions set by the Federal Communications Commission, which require half of the planned 3,236 satellites to be in orbit by mid-2026. The full network is expected to be completed by mid-2029.
Amazon has publicly committed more than $10 billion to the development and deployment of the Kuiper constellation. The company is building out supporting infrastructure in tandem with the satellites, including user terminals and ground communication sites. The terminals, developed in-house, are designed to be compact and cost-effective. Amazon has said these terminals will support download speeds up to 400 Mbps and will be priced under $400, though full commercial service has not yet begun.
Trajectory
Estimated trajectory of SpaceX Kuiper KF-03.
Next Launch
Details
Mission
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 10-52 — Go for Launch!
Organization
SpaceX
Customer / Payload Provider
SpaceX — Starlink Division
Location
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket
Falcon 9
Pad
Space Launch Complex 40
Status
Go for Launch
Status Info
Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window Opens
Thursday, 10/16/2025 2:42 AM
Window Closes
Thursday, 10/16/2025 6:42 AM
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description
A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation — SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system.
Broadcast Start Time
Coverage typically begins ~15 minutes before launch.
File photo: Starlink launching in 2023 from SLC-40 in Cape Canaveral. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
SpaceX is planning to launch another tranche of Kuiper satellites for Amazon from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Monday evening after weather delays stopped previous attempts last week. The current launch window opens at 08:08 PM ET (0008 Z), and closes at 10:22:00 PM the same day. Weather here at the launch site is all but perfect, but out at sea, conditions in the expected booster landing area will remain a concern for at least another couple of days.
After launching and powering the initial ascent phase for the mission, Booster 1091-2 will complete its second mission by landing on ASDS ‘Just Read the Instructions’, which is stationed downrange in the Atlantic Ocean.
Should it be required, a backup launch opportunity is available on Tuesday, October 14 starting at 7:46:00 PM ET.
At A Glance
Details
Mission
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Project Kuiper (KF-03) — Go for Launch!
Organization
SpaceX
Customer / Payload Provider
Amazon Kuiper Systems
Location
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket
Falcon 9
Pad
Space Launch Complex 40
Status
Go for Launch
Status Info
Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window Opens
Monday, 10/13/2025 8:08 PM
Window Closes
Monday, 10/13/2025 10:22 PM
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description
Third of a three-launch contract for Amazon’s Kuiper low Earth orbit
satellite internet constellation, with 24 satellites on board.
Broadcast Start Time
Coverage typically begins ~15 minutes before launch.
As of 11:48 AM Friday October 10, 2025. Launch times are subject to change or cancellation at any time. Consult
SpaceX.com
for more information.
Weather
The 45th Weather Squadron of the US Space Force’s Launch Delta 45 has forecast a 95% chance of acceptable conditions at The Cape, and they have also outlined concerns in the booster recovery area.
Trajectory
The vehicle is expected to insert its payloads into a roughly 630 km altitude, 52° inclination orbit — the same operational orbit used for prior Kuiper launches.
Payload
Tonight’s launch carries 24 Kuiper satellites, built for Amazon’s Project Kuiper constellation. These spacecraft are designed for broadband internet delivery, each outfitted with advanced phased-array antennas and inter-satellite laser links to route data across the network.
Together, they will bolster a growing low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband mesh that Amazon aims will eventually consist of over 3,200 satellites to provide global high-speed internet access.
Once in service, these 24 new Kuiper satellites will add capacity and redundancy to the live network. They’re expected to support continuous global coverage in coordination with previously launched Kuiper craft, making the network more robust against outages or orbital anomalies.
Launch Viewing: In Person
The best options are available for spectators: Jetty Park, the Banana River Bridge on FL 528 W or the southern Titusville parks on Washington Avenue / US-1.
The Space Bar will be open through the launch window. Restaurants in Port Canaveral, specifically Gators Dockside, Fishlips and Grills Seafood should have good views after the rocket clears obstructions.
Remember that there is a delay between a launch stream and the actual countdown clock. That is simply because of physics: it takes time for the signal to travel from the launch site, through the Internet, and back down to your phone, resulting in a five to fifteen-second delay.
Launch Viewing: Online
SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: Kuiper KF-03. This will also be available on the X platform. Coverage starts about fifteen minutes before liftoff.
Spaceflight Now will have coverage of the launch starting about one hour before liftoff on Youtube: link
For official updates regarding launch times, SpaceX.com is the best source of information. Starlink launch times change from time to time, and the company generally updates their website within minutes of the decision to change the launch time. This is very handy if none of the streaming options on YouTube have started their broadcasts.
Next Space Flight an app for iOS and Android phones, has a real-time countdown clock that is accurate to a second, give or take. The app is free. Search the App Store or Google Play. They are also on the web: nextspaceflight.com.
ULA Atlas V lifts off, starting the Kuiper KA-03 mission from Cape Canaveral. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
United Launch Alliance launched one of its dwindling supply of Atlas V rockets this morning from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff was at 08:09 AM ET into “Chamber of Commerce” blue skies.
After today’s mission, there are only eleven Atlas V vehicles remaining, with six devoted to Boeing’s Starliner program, four for Project Kuiper, and one for a Viasat mission.
Today’s payload was 27 operational broadband satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper constellation, bringing the total number of satellites launched by ULA to 81, with more to come later. Atlas V flew true and delivered the satellites to orbit exactly as planned.
The view of liftoff of Atlas V from Loop Road on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
The Atlas V 551 rocket, used for this launch, is among ULA’s more powerful configurations. It includes five solid rocket boosters and a medium payload fairing. The mission is part of a deployment strategy that includes multiple launch providers and vehicle types, including upcoming launches on ULA’s Vulcan Centaur, SpaceX Falcon 9, and the European Ariane 6.
ULA said today that their next launch is ViaSat-3, planned to launch from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. No launch date was given.
Payload
The Kuiper project is Amazon’s initiative to provide broadband internet service through a constellation of satellites. Today’s launch is the fifth of a series of launches of operational Kuiper satellites that aim to meet the conditions set by the Federal Communications Commission, which require half of the planned 3,236 satellites to be in orbit by mid-2026. The full network is expected to be completed by mid-2029, with rudimentary service set to start as soon as late this year.
Following deployment this morning, the satellites will elevate their initial orbit of approximately 450 kilometers to an operational altitude of around 630 kilometers. From this position, they will begin supporting future broadband service coverage as part of Amazon’s long-term strategy to enter the satellite internet market.
Launch Replay
Next Launch
Details
Mission
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 10-59 — Go for Launch!
Organization
SpaceX
Location
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket
Falcon 9
Pad
Space Launch Complex 40
Status
Go for Launch
Status Info
Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window Opens
Sunday, 09/28/2025 3:30 AM
Window Closes
Sunday, 09/28/2025 7:30 AM
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description
A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation — SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
As of 12:46 PM Thursday September 25, 2025. Launch times are subject to change or cancellation at any time.
Consult SpaceX.com for more information.
Atlas V in flight on September 25, 2025 Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of TitusvillePhoto: Chris Leymarie, FMNPhoto: Chris Leymarie, FMN
The small shower that soaked SpaceX’s Falcon 9 during the last two minutes of the terminal count today at the Cape. They will try again tomorrow. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
A popup shower over the launch pad soaked another SpaceX launch at the last minute today, forcing a scrub of their launch of Falcon 9 carrying the Kuiper KF-02 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 with about 29 seconds remaining before liftoff. The company online announced that it will try again tomorrow. Lather, rinse, repeat.
This scrub was a near repeat of the Jul 31st attempt to launch Crew 11 from LC-39A up at Kennedy: everything was great until it wasn’t. Both launch attempts ended abruptly, as the scrubs came with only seconds remaining on the countdown clock.
Because SpaceX uses densified propellants, once the rocket is fueled, it must launch — or not — on time. If it doesn’t, the launch is scrubbed, and the rocket is defueled for the day.
Summers are like that on the Space Coast. A single cloud can pop up at any time and stop a countdown. Locals shrug and go about their day, but tourists cross their fingers and hope that their luck holds out. Today it didn’t.
A Timelapse of Falcon 9’s ascent on the Kuiper KF-01 Mission Photo: SpaceX
SpaceX launched 27 Kuiper satellites for Amazon aboard a Falcon 9 last night from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff was at 2:30 AM ET.
This morning’s launch was the debut flight for SpaceX’s newest Falcon 9 booster, B1096. It flew flawlessly, and touched down safely aboard ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ about eight and a half minutes after liftoff. B1096 and ASOG will now return to Port Canaveral in a few days, where the booster will be offloaded and returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X at Kennedy Space Center. There, it will be inspected, refurbished and prepared for its next mission.
While the first stage was touching down at sea, the second stage and payload continued towards orbit, which it achieved roughly at the same time as B1096’s touchdown. At T+0:52:43, the second stage was reignited to place the payloads in the final orbit, and the payload released shortly thereafter.
Successful deployment of all KF-01 satellites confirmed
Project Kuiper, a subsidiary of Amazon founded in April 2019, will deploy a constellation of 3,236 Low Earth orbit satellites to deliver low-latency broadband connectivity worldwide. The Federal Communications Commission granted Amazon approval on July 30, 2020, to launch and operate half of its satellites (1,618) by July 30, 2026, with the remainder due by July 30, 2029, and service is slated to begin once the first 578 satellites are in orbit. Under the leadership of president Rajeev Badyal, Kuiper Systems LLC is positioning itself to bridge digital divides and support Amazon Web Services clients across underserved regions.
If that sounds just like Starlink, it is, more or less. The two services are competitors, albeit a competition with Starlink that is many years, thousands of satellites, and millions of customers ahead of Amazon, who is just getting started building out their constellation.
Full‐scale deployment of Project Kuiper commenced in April 2025 with United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rockets launching the initial batches, followed by a second Atlas V mission on June 23.
Amazon has earmarked around $23 billion for Kuiper’s build-out, primarily to cover launch and manufacturing costs, and projects annual revenue of $7.2 billion by 2032 with up to seven million subscribers. The company has secured 92 launches from United Launch Alliance, ArianeGroup, and Blue Origin—along with additional slots on SpaceX rockets—to accelerate its rollout, and plans three consumer service tiers offering speeds up to one gigabit per second.
As Amazon races to match SpaceX’s Starlink, which already boasts over six million users, Project Kuiper represents a strategic bet on owning its digital infrastructure and tapping into a satellite internet market forecast to exceed $1 trillion in the coming decade.
Atlas V lifts off on June 23, 2025 through the hazy early morning light. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Under clear, hot skies this morning, United Launch Alliance launched one of their fifteen remaining Atlas V rockets carrying 27 satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper. Launch was at 6:54 AM from LC-41 at Cape Canaveral and by all appearances, it was a nominal flight for the veteran rocket. This was the 103rd launch for an Atlas V which entered service on August 21, 2002. All missions save one have been successful, and that mission was a partial success on Atlas V’s first launch.
Today’s launch was the second attempt for this mission. On June 16th, the countdown was halted due to an engine problem, necessitating a return trip to ULA’s Vertical Integration Facility, located at LC-37, for repairs. Once the issues were remediated, the rocket and the weather both cooperated flawlessly in today’s countdown, leading to the launch at the opening of the launch window.
Atlas V rising with the sun on June 23, 2025 Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Today’s mission will place 27 Kuiper satellites into orbit, making 54 of the planned 3,236 satellites in 98 orbital planes across three orbital shells at altitudes of 590 km, 610 km, and 630 km. Those satellites that will comprise the constellation Amazon is planning for Internet connectivity services. While Amazon has thousands of satellites left on the manifest to launch for Project Kuiper, the company has stated that they plan to start providing internet service later this year.
“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.”
The flight path of Atlas V carrying Project Kuiper’s KA-2 payload. Graphic: Charles Boyer / Google Earth
At 8:02 AM ET, ULA announced that they had placed the payload into a successful orbit, marking the operational end of the mission.
Kuiper is planned to compete against SpaceX’s Starlink Internet service, which is already far ahead both in terms of satellites on orbit (Starlink has over 7,000, with their number increasing with as many as three launches per week) and customers (Starlink has over six million customers in over 100 countries and territories worldwide.) While Starlink has a massive head start, Amazon is hoping to play the hare to SpaceX’s rabbit and to provide a viable source of competition to the SpaceX product as soon as is possible.
ULA’s next launch is the first Vulcan mission for the U.S. Space Force, USSF-106.
Payload
Not much is known about the appearance of the Kuiper satellite, as Amazon has kept a tight lid on the information released about the physical appearance of their orbital platforms.
Next Launch
Wednesday afternoon, SpaceX plans to launch another group of Starlink satellites from SLC-40.
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 10‑16 Mission Details
Mission
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 10‑16
Organization
SpaceX
Location
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket
Falcon 9 Block 5
Pad
Space Launch Complex 40
Status
To Be Confirmed
Status Info
Awaiting official confirmation – current date is known with some certainty.
Window Opens
Wednesday, 06/25/2025 12:33:00 PM EDT
Window Closes
Wednesday, 06/25/2025 4:33:00 PM EDT
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description
A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega‑constellation – SpaceX’s project for a space‑based Internet communication system.
Atlas V with the Kuiper 2 payload at LC-41. Photo: United Launch Alliance
Amazon’s satellite internet project, Kuiper, will continue its deployment today with the planned launch of the Kuiper K-02 mission at 1:25 PM ET aboard an United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket. This mission will deliver 27 operational satellites into low Earth orbit, adding to the 27 satellites deployed earlier this year in April.
The Kuiper project is Amazon’s initiative to provide broadband internet service through a constellation of satellites. Today’s launch is the second of a series that aims to meet the conditions set by the Federal Communications Commission, which require half of the planned 3,236 satellites to be in orbit by mid-2026. The full network is expected to be completed by mid-2029.
The Atlas V 551 rocket, used for this launch, is among ULA’s more powerful configurations. It includes five solid rocket boosters and a medium payload fairing.
Following deployment, the satellites will be elevated from their initial orbit of approximately 450 kilometers to an operational altitude of around 630 kilometers. From this position, they will begin supporting future broadband service coverage as part of Amazon’s long-term strategy to enter the satellite internet market.
Operational Strategy and Technology Capabilities
Each satellite in the Kuiper constellation is equipped with propulsion and communication technologies to maintain orbit and link with both ground stations and other satellites. The system includes inter-satellite laser links, which allow the satellites to pass data directly between one another. These optical links are designed to support high-throughput connections, improving the flexibility and resilience of the network.
The K-02 mission represents the continued transition from prototype to full-scale operations. The first launch in April tested Amazon’s satellite bus and operational model. With K-02, Amazon is moving forward with production models that are expected to serve as a foundational layer of the broader constellation. The mission is part of a deployment strategy that includes multiple launch providers and vehicle types, including upcoming launches on ULA’s Vulcan Centaur, SpaceX Falcon 9, and the European Ariane 6.
Amazon has publicly committed more than $10 billion to the development and deployment of the Kuiper constellation. The company is building out supporting infrastructure in tandem with the satellites, including user terminals and ground communication sites. The terminals, developed in-house, are designed to be compact and cost-effective. Amazon has said these terminals will support download speeds up to 400 Mbps and will be priced under $400, though full commercial service has not yet begun.
In the near term, newly launched satellites will undergo a series of health and status checks, after which their thrusters will be used to reach final orbit. Amazon’s Kuiper operations team, based in Redmond, Washington, is managing the process, which includes positioning, testing communication links, and preparing the satellites to eventually join the active broadband network.
Summer is nearly back on the Space Coast, with warm temperatures and a persistent threat of rain in the afternoon and evenings — typical weather here, and it will stay this way for several months. That being said, Atlas V was able to beat the weather last night and launched at the opening of its window, with liftoff at 7:01 PM ET after an apparently quiet countdown, save for some concerns about the energy potential of a nearby anvil cloud (Cumulonimbus incus) lingering near the launch pad before dissipating.
Atlas V Kuiper KA-01 lifting off from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral on April 28, 2025 Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
The launch carried 27 Amazon Kuiper satellites to orbit. These were the first operational units of Amazon’s planned Internet service constellation, which is planned to feature some 3,236 units when fully built out.
For more information about Project Kuiper, click here.
Atlas V was outfitted in its 551 configuration, meaning it had five GEM 63 solid rockets strapped onto the booster for additional lift. It also had a five-meter fairing, the largest used on the venerable member of ULA’s stable. Tory Bruno, CEO of ULA, calls this setup “The Bruiser” and that’s an apt name: it’s a big rocket and has a lot of power. Good thing, because yesterday, Atlas V carried the most weight to orbit in 155 missions so far.
Atlas V Kuiper KA-01 in flight Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
The launch was nominal, as was the flight to orbit. At 7:18 Tory Bruno announced on X.com that the payload was in orbit, and later, after deployment, Project Kuiper posted that it had established communications with all 27 Kuiper satellites. With that, the mission was a full success.
Launch Replay
Next Launch
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-75 Mission Details
Mission
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-75
Organization
SpaceX
Location
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket
Falcon 9 Block 5
Pad
Space Launch Complex 40
Status
To Be Confirmed
Status Info
Awaiting official confirmation – current date is known with some certainty.
Window Opens
Wednesday, 04/30/2025 10:17:00 PM EDT
Window Closes
Thursday, 05/01/2025 2:48:00 AM EDT
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description
A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system.
Please note that the launch window times are provided in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
For the most current information regarding the launch schedule and status, please refer to official updates from SpaceX.com
Atlas V’s ascent path was illustrated clearly by a plume trail from the rocket’s SRBs Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
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