ULA Atlas 5 Launches Final Kuiper Mission, 110th Flight in 551 Configuration
Summary: On July 1, ULAs Atlas 5 rocket (AV-114) completed its 110th mission in the 551 configuration, delivering Amazon Kuiper broadband satellites to orbit — marking the final Atlas 5 launch supporting the Kuiper constellation.
On July 1, United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched an Atlas 5 rocket (serial number AV-114) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, delivering Amazon Kuiper low-Earth-orbit broadband internet satellites to their target orbit. The mission marked the 110th flight of the Atlas 5 in its 551 configuration and the final Atlas 5 launch supporting the Kuiper constellation.
The Atlas 5 551 configuration features five solid rocket boosters, a single-engine Centaur upper stage, and a five-meter fairing — making it one of the most powerful variants in the Atlas 5 family. It is suited for heavy low-Earth-orbit and geostationary transfer orbit missions. Across its 110 flights, the 551 configuration has carried a wide range of payloads, including U.S. national security satellites, interplanetary science probes, and commercial spacecraft.
Amazon's Kuiper constellation aims to deliver low-latency broadband internet access to users worldwide, with plans to deploy more than 3,200 satellites. Atlas 5 had previously conducted multiple bulk Kuiper launches; with this final mission complete, future Kuiper deployments are expected to shift to ULAs next-generation Vulcan Centaur rocket and other contracted launch vehicles. Atlas 5 itself is being progressively retired, with remaining missions transitioning to Vulcan.