ULA Rolls Final Atlas 5 551 for 29-Satellite Amazon Leo Launch
Updated
Updated · Spaceflight Now · Jul 1
ULA Rolls Final Atlas 5 551 for 29-Satellite Amazon Leo Launch
3 articles · Updated · Spaceflight Now · Jul 1
Summary
Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 41 received ULA’s last Atlas 5 in the 551 configuration ahead of a 12:24 a.m. EDT launch carrying 29 Amazon Leo broadband satellites.
The 205-foot rocket is ULA’s AV-114 and the 110th Atlas 5 overall; weather is 85% favorable, with only a small cumulus-cloud risk during the 29-minute window.
Thursday’s mission will leave just six Atlas 5 rockets remaining, all reserved for Boeing’s Starliner in the N22 configuration, even as Starliner-1’s timing remains uncertain after the 2024 mishap review.
For Amazon Leo, the flight would raise the constellation to 396 satellites in low Earth orbit as the company targets early commercial service by year-end and awaits future launches on Vulcan, New Glenn and Ariane 6.
As ULA retires its iconic Atlas 5, can its next-generation rocket secure its future in the fierce new space race?
With SpaceX dominating satellite internet, can Amazon's multi-billion dollar bet on its Leo constellation realistically compete?
Amidst rocket failures and launch delays, will the global satellite internet boom meet its ambitious promises to businesses and consumers?
Amazon Leo vs. Starlink: Regulatory Breakthroughs, Launch Hurdles, and the $10B Bid for Global Satellite Broadband by 2029
Overview
In June 2026, the FCC granted Amazon Leo a crucial waiver for its interim satellite deployment deadline, recognizing Amazon's significant $10 billion investment and its challenges in meeting the original timeline. The FCC's decision was driven by the need to promote competition in the satellite broadband sector, where currently only SpaceX provides service to American consumers. By supporting Amazon Leo, the FCC aims to foster a second major satellite broadband provider, offering consumers more choices and encouraging innovation. Amazon Leo’s service is expected to be groundbreaking in both quality and affordability, marking a major step forward for the industry.