Amazon's Kuiper Launch Delayed by Weather
Amazon's Kuiper Satellite Launch Delayed by Weather
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The launch of Amazon's Kuiper internet satellite constellation was delayed Wednesday night due to unfavorable weather conditions. A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket, carrying the first 27 of Amazon’s planned 3,232 broadband satellites, was poised for liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. However, ULA halted countdown operations due to “stubborn cumulus clouds” and high winds, rendering the launch window unfeasible, according to a livestream. A new launch date has yet to be announced.
This launch marks a significant step for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, a $10 billion initiative aiming to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access globally. The company plans to utilize a network of ground-based antennas, fiber, and internet connection points to achieve this goal. Commercial service is projected to begin later this year. The satellites, once deployed, will achieve an orbital speed exceeding 17,000 miles per hour and circle the Earth approximately every 90 minutes at an altitude of 392 miles. Post-separation from the rocket, the satellites will autonomously activate their systems and utilize electric propulsion to reach their designated orbit.
Amazon faces a July 2026 deadline set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to have half of its planned constellation—1,618 satellites—in orbit. The company intends to accelerate its production, processing, and deployment rates following this initial launch. ULA will handle eight Atlas V and 38 Vulcan rocket launches for Project Kuiper missions, with additional launches contracted through SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Arianespace, totaling over 80 planned launches. Project Kuiper aims to compete directly with SpaceX’s Starlink, currently the market leader with over 8,000 satellites already operational. While a previous Kuiper launch attempt was scrubbed on April 9th due to thunderstorms, Amazon remains committed to its ambitious space-based internet project. The initial mission’s primary objective is the safe deployment and orbital positioning of all 27 satellites.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The launch of Amazon's Kuiper internet satellite constellation was delayed Wednesday night due to unfavorable weather conditions. A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket, carrying the first 27 of Amazon’s planned 3,232 broadband satellites, was poised for liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. However, ULA halted countdown operations due to “stubborn cumulus clouds” and high winds, rendering the launch window unfeasible, according to a livestream. A new launch date has yet to be announced.
This launch marks a significant step for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, a $10 billion initiative aiming to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access globally. The company plans to utilize a network of ground-based antennas, fiber, and internet connection points to achieve this goal. Commercial service is projected to begin later this year. The satellites, once deployed, will achieve an orbital speed exceeding 17,000 miles per hour and circle the Earth approximately every 90 minutes at an altitude of 392 miles. Post-separation from the rocket, the satellites will autonomously activate their systems and utilize electric propulsion to reach their designated orbit.
Amazon faces a July 2026 deadline set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to have half of its planned constellation—1,618 satellites—in orbit. The company intends to accelerate its production, processing, and deployment rates following this initial launch. ULA will handle eight Atlas V and 38 Vulcan rocket launches for Project Kuiper missions, with additional launches contracted through SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Arianespace, totaling over 80 planned launches. Project Kuiper aims to compete directly with SpaceX’s Starlink, currently the market leader with over 8,000 satellites already operational. While a previous Kuiper launch attempt was scrubbed on April 9th due to thunderstorms, Amazon remains committed to its ambitious space-based internet project. The initial mission’s primary objective is the safe deployment and orbital positioning of all 27 satellites.
