The footprint of Amazon already is felt in everyday life − now the company is venturing into space.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is launching Project Kuiper, a global network of satellites, to compete with SpaceX CEO-billionaire Elon Musk and Starlink. It begins with the first-ever launch of the Amazon Project Kuiper production satellites, courtesy of a massive United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Weather postponed the initial liftoff attempt Wednesday, April 9. Below is information about the Amazon rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and what’s next.
Rocket launch calendar: Upcoming SpaceX, NASA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center
After inclement weather triggered the Wednesday, April 9, scrub, ULA officials have announced a new launch date will be announced when approved by Eastern Range leaders. As of Thursday, April 10, the next ULA launch attempt remains unknown.
“We will work with our partners at the U.S. Space Force Space Launch Delta 45 for the timing of our next launch opportunity,” webcast commentator Caleb Weiss said during Wednesday night’s launch window.
ULA crews had targeted 8:59 p.m. EDT to launch the 205-foot Atlas V rocket — powered by five side rocket boosters — from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Click here for the Florida rocket launch calendar, which is frequently updated by USA TODAY Network’s Space Team.
Rocket launch visibility map: After Atlas V liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Florida, here’s a list of cities, states that might see it
For Amazon’s first-ever payload of 27 production satellites for the ecommerce giant’s future Project Kuiper internet constellation, aka United Launch Alliance KA-01 mission, it’s catching a ride on the space agency’s massive Atlas V rocket. The 205-foot-tall Atlas V will have five solid boosters to lift the heavy payload from Cape Canaveral to space.
When the ULA Atlas V does launch, it’s a very Instagram-worthy moment.
Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, this Amazon rocket launch from Florida’s Space Coast could be visible from Fort Myers to Jacksonville to West Palm Beach. It’ll be a great opportunity for unique photos — especially the contrail after.
A ULA Atlas V graphic depicts potential visibility for launch spectators across much of the eastern United States, ranging from 30 seconds to 6½ minutes after liftoff along the rocket’s flight path.
A rocket launch can be a treat for the ears, too: On the Space Coast, a “rumble” can be heard or window-shaking can be expected in some parts of Brevard County, Florida, after liftoff.
What is Amazon rocket launch mission about? What is the role of Jeff Bezos in Project Kuiper?
On Oct. 6, 2023, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launched the first Amazon satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, in a Protoflight mission − the rocket carried Amazon’s first prototype satellites to orbit to support Amazon’s planned satellite internet constellation. On board the ULA Atlas V rocket in the October 2023 launch from Cape Canaveral was the prototype KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2 satellites.
The project by billionaire Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and CEO of space agency Blue Origin, is called Project Kuiper.
What is Amazon’s Project Kuiper?
“Project Kuiper is Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite broadband network. Its mission is to provide fast, reliable internet to customers around the world, including those in unserved and underserved communities, using a constellation of more than 3,200 LEO satellites,” the ULA mission page said.
The Amazon rocket launch from Florida is long awaited, as it will deliver the first batch of Amazon Kuiper satellites to orbit. Originally set to launch in late 2024, the Project Kuiper satellite constellation will be Amazon’s entrance into the satellite internet market − similar to SpaceX’s Starlink. This first launch is known as KA-01, or Kuiper Atlas 1. The launch will send 27 Kuiper satellites to orbit, making it the heaviest payload ever flown by a ULA Atlas V rocket. This will require the rocket configuration of five solid rocket boosters, which is the Atlas V rocket’s most powerful model.
For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.
Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at [email protected]. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Amazon rocket launch in Cape Canaveral: What time is Atlas V liftoff?
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