Amazon’s second batch of Kuiper satellites will launch tomorrow

ULA is set to attempt its second launch of Amazon Kuiper satellites from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This will be Amazon’s second batch of operational satellites to be deployed as well, finally hitting a stride in getting its constellation of internet-providing satellites out there.

An Atlas V 551, the largest variation of the Atlas V family of rockets, is planning to lift off at 1:25 P.M. ET Monday afternoon. This will be the last of 14 remaining Atlas V rockets to launch before the vehicle and the Atlas rocket name are retired.

The code after the rocket’s name refers to the current configuration the Atlas V is in: a “5” meter fairing, “5” strap-on solid rocket motors, and “1” RL-10 engine on the Centaur upper stage: 551. The only other remaining Atlas V variation to launch is the N22, exclusively used for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The “N” stands for “No Fairing,” with “2” motors and “2” RL-10 engines.

ULA will stream the launch live on its social media platforms, likely starting about 30 minutes before the launch.

The launch will carry with it 27 Amazon Kuiper satellites on board. These will join the 27 launched earlier this year to start growing the retail giant’s internet constellation.

Kuiper is Amazon’s answer to SpaceX’s Starlink internet constellation and is expected to be the first real piece of competition to it on the market. However, Amazon will have a long way to go to catch up to SpaceX, which launches at least two Starlink missions a week and already has 7,500 satellites in orbit.

Amazon purchased the remaining lot of Atlas V rockets to kick-start its satellite deployments alongside Vulcan, Ariane 6, and even a few Falcon 9 rockets. The bulk of Kuiper deployments will come from Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, which is just now getting off the ground with early launches.

Amazon has until July of next year to complete half of its constellation. With New Glenn still not running at full speed and its other partners not being known for quick launch cadences, Amazon will likely require an extension to that deadline to keep its spectrum.

Kuiper may have a huge leg up versus Starlink’s market leadership with having such a massive retail and subscriber presence. Amazon could easily provide free or discounted Kuiper subscriptions to its Amazon Prime members. Even better, once the company has its terminal ready for consumers to purchase, promotion through Amazon’s homepage will be an easy way to get it in front of potential customers.

However, getting an operational constellation completed is the first step, which will take many, many launches to do so.