Home / Technology / Leo Satellites Reach Orbit Milestone
Leo Satellites Reach Orbit Milestone
2 Jul
Summary
- Amazon's Leo satellite constellation now has enough satellites in orbit.
- A recent ULA Atlas V launch deployed 29 Amazon Leo satellites.
- Leo aims to provide satellite broadband service by year-end.
Amazon's Leo satellite constellation has reached a crucial operational milestone. A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket launched 29 Amazon Leo satellites into orbit on July 2, successfully establishing contact and confirming their functionality. With over 390 satellites now in space, Leo has enough for continuous service across initial latitudes, according to Amazon Leo VP Chris Weber.
The recent launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station marked the final Atlas V mission for the Leo project. Future deployments will utilize ULA's Vulcan vehicle, designed for higher capacity and frequency, accelerating service expansion. Amazon also plans to use Blue Origin's New Glenn rockets, aiming to increase launch and deployment cadence to support a service rollout later this year.
Despite this progress, Leo faces a substantial gap compared to SpaceX's Starlink, which already operates over 10,000 satellites. However, Amazon is committed to rapid expansion. While Blue Origin's New Glenn experienced a launchpad test failure in May, they are constructing a new pad for anticipated flights by the end of the year, further supporting Leo's ambitious launch schedule.
