CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launched 29 satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper from Florida on Saturday, marking another deployment in the company’s effort to build a global broadband internet network.
The rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station shortly after sunrise, according to live coverage provided by United Launch Alliance and Amazon. The mission carried a new batch of operational Kuiper satellites into low-Earth orbit as Amazon continues to expand its planned satellite constellation intended to compete with existing broadband services, including SpaceX’s Starlink network.
United Launch Alliance, the joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin, said the Atlas V performed normally during the early stages of flight. Amazon later confirmed initial contact with the satellites following separation from the launch vehicle.
“Today’s successful launch adds another group of satellites to our growing Kuiper constellation,” Amazon said in a statement during the mission webcast. “We will continue testing and deploying the system as we move toward broader service availability.”
Project Kuiper is Amazon’s long-term initiative to provide high-speed internet coverage to consumers, businesses and governments in areas with limited connectivity. The company has received authorization from U.S. regulators to deploy thousands of satellites over the coming years and has secured dozens of launches from multiple providers, including United Launch Alliance, Blue Origin and Arianespace.
Saturday’s mission was among a series of planned launches scheduled for 2026 as Amazon works toward regulatory deadlines tied to satellite deployment milestones. Company officials have said the network will begin offering limited commercial services after enough satellites are placed into orbit and tested.
The launch also represented another high-profile mission for the Atlas V rocket, which has been used for government, scientific and commercial payloads for more than two decades. United Launch Alliance has been gradually transitioning toward its newer Vulcan rocket while continuing remaining Atlas V missions already under contract.
Weather conditions at the Florida launch site appeared favorable during countdown operations, according to mission commentators. There were no immediate reports of technical issues or delays during the launch sequence.
Live video from the mission showed the rocket rising over the Atlantic coast before stage separation occurred several minutes into flight. Mission controllers later confirmed deployment of the satellites in orbit.
Amazon and United Launch Alliance said post-launch checks of the spacecraft and onboard systems were continuing on Saturday. Details on the exact operational status of each satellite were not immediately released.
