CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, FL – Spectators ringing the Space Coast enjoyed a spectacular sunrise liftoff courtesy of rocket maker United Launch Alliance (ULA) when they at last successfully launched their mighty Atlas V 551 rocket on the second attempt to launch Amazon’s second Project Kuiper mission of broadband internet satellites early morning on June 23 at 6:54 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The just past sunrise liftoff took place under picture perfect weather conditions for the Kuiper 2 broadband internet satellites on the most powerful version of their venerable Atlas V rocket nicknamed “The Bruiser” from pad 41 at the opening of a 29 minute window.
The Kuiper broadband constellation of commercial internet comsats in LEO starts the setup of a new system for direct head-to-head competition with the already well-established SpaceX Starlink broadband satellite system.
“United Launch Alliance and Amazon Launch the Future of Global Connectivity, said ULA. “Atlas V precisely delivers second batch of operational broadband satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper constellation.”
The path to launch was cleared after ULA engineers repaired the booster engine issue in their powerful Atlas V 551 rocket that scrubbed the first attempt to launch Amazon’s second Project Kuiper mission on June 16 that was caused by a rare high temperature issue in the RD-180 engine compartment.
“We are proud to continue our strong partnership with Amazon and empower their mission to bridge the digital divide through reliable satellite technology,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “ULA, working as a catalyst to global connectivity in collaboration with Amazon, enables delivery of these critical satellites designed to drive innovation and connect the world.”
The Kuiper 2 launch deployed the second batch of operational Project Kuiper satellites into the intended orbit.
There are six remaining Kuiper missions on the Atlas V rocket, building up to 38 high-cadence, rapid fire launches on the next-generation Vulcan rocket.
ULA will deliver more than half of the Project Kuiper constellation’s 3,200 satellites, through the world’s largest commercial launch agreement.
The Kuiper constellation will eventually comprise over 3200 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).
The Kuiper satellites will be launched across 98 orbital planes at 590 km, 610 km and 630 km in altitude.
ULA will deploy the satellites at an altitude of 280 miles (450 kilometers) above Earth
Thereafter “the Project Kuiper team will take over command of the mission from our 24/7 mission operations center in Redmond, Washington, confirm satellite health, and ultimately raise the satellites to their assigned orbit of 392 miles (630 km) above Earth.”
The Atlas V launches in its most powerful 551 configuration known as “The Bruiser” – spewing over 2.5 million pounds of liftoff thrust from the first stage powered by a dual nozzle RD-180 engine and 5 strap on solid rocket boosters SRBs.
The Atlas V launches on a northeasterly trajectory up the US East Coast
Kuiper-2 marks the second of many full-scale launches in service of Amazon’s Project Kuiper under contract to ULA
“Its mission is to provide fast, reliable internet to customers and communities around the world, including those unserved or underserved by traditional connectivity technologies,” says Amazon.
“The system has the capacity, performance, and flexibility to serve a wide range of customers, from individual households to schools, hospitals, businesses, government agencies and other organizations operating in places without reliable connectivity.”
Enjoy our prelaunch and launch viewing photos from the Space UpClose team of Ken Kremer and Jean Wright taken during several media remote camera setups at pad 41 and on the launch viewing days.
Ken Kremer interview about Kuiper 2
June 23/24 WFTV ABC Orlando: interview about ULA Amazon Kuiper 2 launch and mission
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