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.
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.
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
Atlas V in flight. Unlike a SpaceX Falcon 9, Atlas V leaves a contrail from liftoff to solid rocket booster separation. File photo. Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
UPDATE: the launch was scrubbed due to offshore weather and also heavy winds throughout the launch window. The next attempt is penciled in for Monday, April 14, between 7:00PM and 11:34 PM EDT.
United Launch Alliance is set to launch and Atlas V 551 this evening from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch window opens at 7:00 PM ET and closes again at 9:00 PM the same day.
This will be ULA’s first launch this year. The company is winding down Atlas V launches, with only fifteen remaining, tonight’s launch included. ULA also recently retired Delta IV Heavy, and launched the last one a year ago today. The company is moving towards its Vulcan rocket, which it has launched twice. Vulcan recently received USSL certification for its new Vulcan rocket, which is now awaiting payloads prior to its next flight.
As is customary with Atlas V, all stages are expendable, so there will be no landing and retrieval of the booster. After its job is done for the day, it will crash into the ocean and sleep with the fishes.
For More Coverage of Amazon Kuiper Project, click here.
Weather
The 45th Weather Squadron of Space Delta 45 has posted their Launch Mission Execution Forecast, and they are rating the chances of a weather violation at 45% on Wednesday April 9, with chances dropping drastically to only a 10% chance of weather being an issue on Thursday.
Trajectory
Northeast. Depending on when Atlas V launches, it may put on quite a show. Local sunset is 7:45 PM ET, so if the launch is at the opening of the window, we will see a beautiful sunset launch. If it is delayed an hour, the sun will have set on the ground, but Civil Twilight last until 8:09 PM and that means that Atlas V’s plumes will still be in sunlight up high. It might be interesting, but forecasting a jellyfish plume is tricky.
What Is Project Kuiper?
Similar to SpaceX’s Starlink, Project Kuiper is Amazon’s initiative to provide global broadband access through a constellation of over 3,000 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).
Announced in 2019, the project’s goal is to deliver fast, affordable internet connectivity to unserved and underserved communities worldwide. Like Starlink, by leveraging LEO satellites, Project Kuiper aims to provide low-latency broadband services to a diverse range of customers, including individual households, schools, hospitals, businesses, and government agencies.
To achieve this, Amazon plans to deploy some 3,236 satellites at altitudes ranging from 590 to 630 kilometers. The company has secured agreements for up to 83 launches over a five-year period, utilizing various launch providers such as Arianespace’s Ariane 6, Blue Origin’s New Glenn, and United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V and later, Vulcan Centaur.
Launch Viewing: Online
Spaceflight Now will have coverage of the launch starting about one hour before liftoff on Youtube: link
For official updates regarding launch times, United Launch Alliance’s website is the best source of information. 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.
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.
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.
Launch Viewing: In Person
The southern viewing spots are the best for this launch, but none are particularly close except for Playalinda Beach. Problem is, Playalinda closes at 8PM, so unless the launch is right on time, it won’t be an option.
The best free options are available for spectators: 528 West at the Banana River Bridge, Jetty Park and Cherie Down Park in Cape Canaveral. Southern Titusville parks on Washington Avenu / US-1 are also good: Kennedy Point and Rotary Riverfront Park are your best bets.
Distance to SLC-41 from Kennedy Point Park
Local recommendations also say the Cafe Paradiso and Ven pa’ Ca Café are excellent choices for before, after and even during launches. Grab a bite to eat, walk over to the Indian River and watch the launch.
Distance to SLC-41 from the Banana River Bridge on FL 528 W
After a sluggish start to 2025, United Launch Alliance announced today that is planning to launch a tranche of Amazon Kuiper satellites on April 9, 2025 from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The company added that the launch window is set to open at 12:00 PM ET and will last three hours.
This will be ULA’s first launch this year. It recently received USSL certification for its new Vulcan rocket, which is now awaiting payloads prior to its next flight.
What Is Project Kuiper?
Similar to SpaceX’s Starlink, Project Kuiper is Amazon’s initiative to provide global broadband access through a constellation of over 3,000 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).
Announced in 2019, the project’s goal is to deliver fast, affordable internet connectivity to unserved and underserved communities worldwide. Like Starlink, by leveraging LEO satellites, Project Kuiper aims to provide low-latency broadband services to a diverse range of customers, including individual households, schools, hospitals, businesses, and government agencies.
To achieve this, Amazon plans to deploy some 3,236 satellites at altitudes ranging from 590 to 630 kilometers. The company has secured agreements for up to 83 launches over a five-year period, utilizing various launch providers such as Arianespace’s Ariane 6, Blue Origin’s New Glenn, and United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V and later, Vulcan Centaur.
“We’ve designed some of the most advanced communications satellites ever built, and every launch is an opportunity to add more capacity and coverage to our network,” said Rajeev Badyal, vice president of Project Kuiper.
“We’ve done extensive testing on the ground to prepare for this first mission, but there are some things you can only learn in flight, and this will be the first time we’ve flown our final satellite design and the first time we’ve deployed so many satellites at once. No matter how the mission unfolds, this is just the start of our journey, and we have all the pieces in place to learn and adapt as we prepare to launch again and again over the coming years.”
27 Kuiper satellites will be aboard Atlas V for the KA-01 mission, which are slated to fly to a 280-mile orbital altitude.
Atlas V
Atlas V launching USSF 51.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V has a 5-meter payload fairing, five Northrop Grumman GEM 63 solid rocket boosters, and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.
Standing approximately 62.2 meters tall, the Atlas V 551 can deliver payloads up to 18,814 kilograms to low Earth orbit (LEO) and 8,900 kilograms to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).
This configuration has been employed in notable missions, including the launches of NASA’s New Horizons probe to Pluto and the Juno spacecraft to Jupiter, and soon, Amazon Kuiper.
Atlas V is also crew-rated, and has carried astronauts to orbit on the Boeing Starliner CFT mission. While Boeing experienced issues with the Starliner spacecraft, its launch and orbital insertion were not one of them. Boeing CFT astronaut Suni Williams told Ars Technica’s Eric Berger recently that “The launch [on Atlas V] was awesome. Both of us looked at each other like, ‘Wow, this is going just perfectly.’ So the ride to space and the orbit insertion burn, all perfect.”
A file photo of an Atlas V lifting off from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
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