Last launch looms for ULA Atlas V rocket mightiest version in 551 configuration as it stands vertical at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photograph by Ken Kremer of Space UpClose is featured on the WFTV ABC News Orlando evening news program on July 1, 2026. Liftoff target July 2 at 12:24 a.m. EDT. Screenshot Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com/ WFTV ABC News Orlando
CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, FL – The last launch is looming for the most powerful version of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket nicknamed ‘The Bruiser’ – as it sits poised for liftoff from Florida’s Space Coast just past midnight early Thursday morning July 2 carrying another batch of satellites for Amazons Leo broadband constellation of commercial internet comsats to orbit.
The 205 ft tall ULA Atlas V rocket assembled into the 551 configuration stands vertical at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Last launch looms for ULA Atlas V rocket mightiest version in 551 configuration as it stands vertical at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photograph by Ken Kremer of Space UpClose is featured on the WFTV ABC News Orlando evening news program on July 1, 2026. Liftoff target July 2 at 12:24 a.m. EDT. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com
The launch is named ULA Atlas V Leo 8 – and is packed with a heavy payload of 29 Amazon Leo broadband internet satellites
Enjoy our photos taken by Ken Kremer and Jean Wright taken for Space UpClose directly at pad 41 this afternoon July 1.
Last launch looms for ULA Atlas V rocket mightiest version in 551 configuration as it stands vertical at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photograph by Ken Kremer of Space UpClose is featured on the WFTV ABC News Orlando evening news program on July 1, 2026. Liftoff target July 2 at 12:24 a.m. EDT. Credit: Jean Wright/SpaceUpClose.com
The lead photo by Ken Kremer was featured this evening, July 1, on WFTV ABC News Orlando for a mission story.
Liftoff is planned on Thursday, July 2, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 12:24 a.m. EDT with a 29-minute window.
Last launch looms for ULA Atlas V rocket mightiest version in 551 configuration as it stands vertical at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photograph by Ken Kremer of Space UpClose is featured on the WFTV ABC News Orlando evening news program on July 1, 2026. Liftoff target July 2 at 12:24 a.m. EDT. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com
Today’s forecast shows an 85 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.
Overall the payloads weighs 18000 lbs, matching the heaviest to date for an Atlas V
Watch for Ken’s continuing onsite coverage of NASA, SpaceX, ULA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and more space and mission reports direct from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Stay tuned here for Ken's continuing Earth and Planetary science and human spaceflight news. Dr. Kremer is a research scientist and journalist based in the KSC area, active in outreach and interviewed regularly on TV and radio about space topics. Ken’s photos are for sale and he is available for lectures and outreach events.
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