Atlas V Launches 29 Amazon Leo Satellites on LA-05 Mission, Accelerating Constellation Buildout
Summary: A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 05:46 UTC on April 4, successfully delivering 29 Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) broadband internet satellites into low Earth orbit. This is the fifth batch of satellites launched for the Amazon Leo constellation, marking continued progress in Amazon's satellite internet deployment.
Credit: ULA
Mission Overview
Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, is a mega constellation managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon. The constellation is planned to comprise 3,276 satellites distributed across 98 orbital planes at altitudes of 590 km, 610 km, and 630 km. The LA-05 mission carried 29 satellites aboard the Atlas V 551, the most powerful variant of the Atlas V family featuring a 5-meter fairing, five solid rocket boosters, and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.
Constellation Progress
Amazon Leo aims to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet connectivity to underserved and remote areas worldwide. With the successful completion of the LA-05 mission, the constellation continues to grow as Amazon advances its ambitious deployment schedule.