Quote from: Starship_SpaceX on 12/09/2025 05:43 pmAnother explanation is that Amazon's satellites are heavier than initially anticipated, leading to a decrease in the number of satellites launched. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether ULA's VC6 can achieve the expected 45-satellite launch in a single run. However, ULA has explicitly stated that they will use the Centaur 5, specifically optimized for LEO launches. I'm unsure whether Amazon had already planned to use the optimized Centaur 5 when signing the contract with ULA.https://aviationweek.com/space/commercial-space/atlas-v-launch-sets-stage-amazons-consumer-space-debutQuoteThe rocket’s core stage—powered by a single 860,200-lb.-thrust RD-180 engine—could have carried 27 KuiperSats into low Earth orbit (LEO), which was the plan when Amazon bought nine Atlas V rides in 2021. The price of an Atlas V ride starts at $109 million, ULA’s website states. Amazon’s splurge on an Atlas V to fly a pair of small satellites came after technical issues delayed two previous bookings.Kuipersat have not gotten significantly heavier over the past few years, Atlas were booked to launch 27 a flight and they ended up launching 27 a flight.
Another explanation is that Amazon's satellites are heavier than initially anticipated, leading to a decrease in the number of satellites launched. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether ULA's VC6 can achieve the expected 45-satellite launch in a single run. However, ULA has explicitly stated that they will use the Centaur 5, specifically optimized for LEO launches. I'm unsure whether Amazon had already planned to use the optimized Centaur 5 when signing the contract with ULA.
The rocket’s core stage—powered by a single 860,200-lb.-thrust RD-180 engine—could have carried 27 KuiperSats into low Earth orbit (LEO), which was the plan when Amazon bought nine Atlas V rides in 2021. The price of an Atlas V ride starts at $109 million, ULA’s website states. Amazon’s splurge on an Atlas V to fly a pair of small satellites came after technical issues delayed two previous bookings.
Arianespace and Amazon Leo marked an important milestone in their historic multi-launch agreement to deploy satellites for Amazon Leo’s constellation last week. On Friday December 5th, Canopée — the sail-powered cargo ship transporting the stages of Ariane 6 from continental Europe to French Guiana — departed from Bordeaux. Canopée began its journey at sea for mission VA267, a mission of many firsts: it will be the first flight of the Ariane 64, the Ariane 6 with four boosters, as well as the first Arianespace launch dedicated to the Amazon Leo constellation.Together with the arrival of the first batch of Amazon Leo satellites in French Guiana earlier in November, this departure of Canopée from Bordeaux marks the operational kick-off of the inaugural Ariane 64 launch campaign.
Destination: Bremen, GermanyETA: Dec 11, 09:00 UTC
Launch NET February?
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 12/22/2025 06:33 pmLaunch NET February?Yes
Teams are now moving through the major milestones toward the very first Ariane 6 launch for @AmazonLeo, scheduled for February: (2/5)
Each Ariane 6 flight is unique, and its modular structure can be adapted for each mission. Two main parts are stacked on top of each other: the main stage and the upper stage, followed by two or four boosters attached to the side and then finally the satellites inside a protective fairing are placed on top.Depending on the amount of thrust required Ariane 6 can use two boosters or four, providing extra boost for heavier payloads or destinations further afield. Each booster is 13.5 m long and 3.4 m in diameter and holds 142 tonnes of propellant.An Ariane 6 with two boosters can launch approximately 10.3 tonnes into low Earth orbit, whereas the four-booster version around 21.6 tonnes into low Earth orbit.This flight will see Ariane 6 take satellites for Amazon’s Leo constellation to orbit.The main components for Ariane 6 arrive by Canopée hybrid sailing ship. The core and upper stage are connected at the launcher assembly building a kilometre from the launch pad. Once moved upright the boosters are added to the Ariane 6 central core. Meanwhile the satellites are prepared in payload processing buildings nearby and placed on the launch vehicle adapter. Once ready they are enclosed in the Ariane 6 fairing to protect the satellites from the elements on the launch pad and provide an aerodynamic tip to the rocket as it ascends through Earth’s atmosphere.
LE‑01 update: @Arianespace is targeting Feb. 12 to send 32 Amazon Leo satellites into orbit. LE-01 (Leo Europe 1) is the first of 18 Leo missions on the more powerful, four-booster variant of Ariane 6, and the first heavy‑lift launch on our 2026 manifest. Follow along for more:
The mass per satellite, inclusive of dispenser, is 541 kg. 541 * 32 = 17,312 kg. Maybe it's a heavy-lift launch vehicle, but it's not exactly a heavy-lift launch.
Quote from: sstli2 on 01/15/2026 02:30 pmThe mass per satellite, inclusive of dispenser, is 541 kg. 541 * 32 = 17,312 kg. Maybe it's a heavy-lift launch vehicle, but it's not exactly a heavy-lift launch.It's quite literally the heaviest commercial payload in history (and the mass is a bit higher)
Amazon Leo@Amazonleo·LE‑01 update: @Arianespace is targeting Feb. 12 to send 32 Amazon Leo satellites into orbit. LE-01 (Leo Europe 1) is the first of 18 Leo missions on the more powerful, four-booster variant of Ariane 6, and the first heavy‑lift launch on our 2026 manifest. Follow along for more: https://spr.ly/6019CLWu9
ArianeGroup@ArianeGroup·On February 12, 2026, the first Ariane 64, the most powerful version of Ariane 6, equipped with four boosters will place into orbit 32 satellites for Amazon Leo. Set your calendars!
Panos Panay@panos_panay·Behind the scenes as teams prep the Ariane 6 rocket for the LE-01 mission on Feb 12—our first launch with @Arianespace and the first heavy lift launch on @Amazonleo's 2026 manifest.
Quote from: TheKutKu on 01/15/2026 02:47 pmQuote from: sstli2 on 01/15/2026 02:30 pmThe mass per satellite, inclusive of dispenser, is 541 kg. 541 * 32 = 17,312 kg. Maybe it's a heavy-lift launch vehicle, but it's not exactly a heavy-lift launch.It's quite literally the heaviest commercial payload in history (and the mass is a bit higher)I don't want to be "that guy" but a heavy-lift launch requires the payload (which usually includes the payload adapter) to weigh no less than 20,000 kg and no more than 50,000 kg.At 18.25 metric tons the LEO LE-01 launch on Ariane 64 is "just" a medium-lift launch. Granted, it's near the upper limit of medium-lift, but still, it's "just" a medium-lift launch. The fact that the payload goes up on a heavy-lift launch capable launcher, does not mean that it's actually a heavy-lift launch.Also: heavy-lift launchers almost never actually perform heavy-lift launches. Ariane 5 was a bit of an exception when it flew five actual heavy-lift payloads to LEO (ATV). Vulcan Centaur Heavy (VC6) will (hopefully) this year see its first actual heavy-lift launch. Also for Amazon LEO.
