Atlas V Rocket Sends Final 29 Amazon Satellites Into Orbit From Florida

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, in the early hours of July 2 carrying 29 Amazon Leo satellites. The rocket successfully deployed the satellites, after which Amazon established contact and confirmed they were operating normally in orbit. The launch raised the total number of operational Leo satellites above 390.

Amazon Leo vice president Chris Weber said the constellation size is now enough to support continuous service across initial latitudes. This flight marked the final Atlas V mission for the Leo program. The 224 satellites previously launched on Atlas V will be followed by missions on ULA's Vulcan vehicle, which can carry more than 40 satellites per flight.

Amazon Leo director of launch systems Melissa Wuerl said hundreds of flight-ready satellites remain at the Cape with a new vertical integration facility prepared for upcoming Vulcan missions. She added that the setup provides a clear path to increase launch cadence and expand network coverage after an initial service rollout later this year.

The satellites must still be raised to their operational altitude of 392 miles before service can begin.

SpaceX Starlink currently operates more than 10,000 satellites providing broadband service.