ULA's Final Atlas V Launches Booked for Boeing's Starliner and Amazon Kuiper
United Launch Alliance (ULA) has completed the final Atlas V rocket launch for Amazon's Kuiper satellite constellation. The remaining six Atlas V flights are already assigned to Boeing's Starliner missions and additional Kuiper satellites.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched Amazon's Kuiper constellation satellites on its Atlas V rocket last Thursday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This mission represents one of the final flights for the Atlas V, a rocket that has been a staple in the launch industry.
The launch carried 29 satellites into orbit, advancing Amazon's goal of providing broadband internet services. The satellites separated from the rocket less than an hour after liftoff and will use their onboard propulsion to reach their operational orbits.
ULA's remaining Atlas V inventory consists of six rockets. These are slated for upcoming missions involving Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which ferries astronauts to the International Space Station, and further deployments for Amazon's Kuiper network.
This phase-out of the Atlas V coincides with ULA's transition to its next-generation Vulcan Centaur rocket. While the very last Atlas V flight is still some years away, the completion of launches for major commercial constellations signifies the closing chapter for this long-serving launch vehicle.