Amazon Leo 7: ULA Launches 29 Satellites For Amazon Constellation, Day After Blue Origin New Glenn Explosion
Amazon Leo 7: ULA Launches 29 Satellites For Amazon Constellation, Day After Blue Origin New Glenn Explosion
Keneci Network @kenecifeed
Embedded Files
SPACECRAFT
United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched an Atlas V 551 rocket carrying 29 Amazon Leo internet satellites from Launch Complex-41 (LC-41) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Thursday (May 29). The Amazon Leo 7 (or LA-07) mission lifted off at 2353 UTC after a 20-minute weather delay.
The Atlas V 551 configuration utilized five solid rocket boosters and a 5-meter payload fairing, with the Centaur upper stage deploying the satellites into low Earth orbit in groups over the course of several minutes, with the final two popping free about 38 minutes after liftoff.
This is one of the Atlas V's most powerful flight setups, tying the Atlas V's record for the heaviest payload ever launched at about 18 tons, with each solid rocket engine providing 371,550 pounds (1.6 mega-Newtons) of thrust at liftoff on top of the main booster's RD-180 engine, which produces 860,200 pounds (3.83 mega-Newtons) of power itself.
Friday's launch occurred against a backdrop of significant industry disruption; just hours prior, Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket suffered a catastrophic explosion during testing at a nearby pad, resulting in the complete loss of that vehicle and delaying the scheduled launch of 48 additional Amazon Leo satellites that were to have flown on New Glenn.
ULA confirmed that its own launch pad and rocket remained healthy and unaffected by the incident, with the Atlas V payload processed safely at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
This mission marked the 12th Amazon Leo launch and added to the constellation’s existing network of over 300 satellites in orbit. Amazon aims to deploy more than 3,200 satellites to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink, utilizing a mix of launch providers including ULA, SpaceX, Arianespace, and Blue Origin.
Google Sites
Report abuse