ULA Atlas V Successfully Launches 29 Amazon Kuiper Internet Satellites
Summary: United Launch Alliance's Atlas V 551 rocket successfully deployed 29 Amazon Project Kuiper internet satellites to low Earth orbit on April 27 at 8:53 PM EDT (1253 UTC April 28). ULA confirmed satellite deployment. This was one of the largest single Kuiper launches to date as Amazon races to catch up with SpaceX's Starlink.
Credit: United Launch Alliance
Mission Overview
The Kuiper mission launched on an Atlas V 551 configuration (5 solid rocket boosters + 2 LOX/RP-1 engines) from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. All 29 satellites were deployed to low Earth orbit approximately 13 minutes after liftoff.
Mission profile:
- Rocket: Atlas V 551
- Payload: 29 Amazon Project Kuiper satellites
- Target orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Launch site: Cape Canaveral LC-41
- Launch time: April 27, 20:53 EDT (April 28, 08:53 CST)
Kuiper Constellation Deployment Progress
Amazon's Project Kuiper plans to deploy over 3,200 low Earth orbit broadband satellites to compete with SpaceX's Starlink for global satellite internet market share. The FCC requires Amazon to have half of the constellation launched by July 2026.
This launch follows ULA's Kuiper-1 mission in April 2025 (27 satellites) and represents the largest single Kuiper launch to date. According to Kuiper's website, the company plans to execute multiple launches per week through 2025-2026 to meet FCC deadlines.
European launch provider Arianespace is also scheduled to launch another batch of 32 Kuiper satellites aboard an Ariane 64 from French Guiana later this week.
Background: ULA and Amazon
ULA is one of the primary launch providers for Amazon's Kuiper constellation, with a reported multi-billion dollar contract. Atlas V and Vulcan Centaur rockets will handle the majority of Kuiper launches. As Vulcan Centaur becomes operational, Kuiper launch cadence is expected to increase further.