Summer is nearly back on the Space Coast, with warm temperatures and a persistent threat of rain in the afternoon and evenings — typical weather here, and it will stay this way for several months. That being said, Atlas V was able to beat the weather last night and launched at the opening of its window, with liftoff at 7:01 PM ET after an apparently quiet countdown, save for some concerns about the energy potential of a nearby anvil cloud (Cumulonimbus incus) lingering near the launch pad before dissipating.
The launch carried 27 Amazon Kuiper satellites to orbit. These were the first operational units of Amazon’s planned Internet service constellation, which is planned to feature some 3,236 units when fully built out. Amazon launched two test satellites in 2023.
For more information about Project Kuiper, click here.
Atlas V was outfitted in its 551 configuration, meaning it had five GEM 63 solid rockets strapped onto the booster for additional lift. It also had a five-meter fairing, the largest used on the venerable member of ULA’s stable. Tory Bruno, CEO of ULA, calls this setup “The Bruiser” and that’s an apt name: it’s a big rocket and has a lot of power. Good thing, because yesterday, Atlas V carried the most weight to orbit in 155 missions so far.
The launch was nominal, as was the flight to orbit. At 7:18 Tory Bruno announced on X.com that the payload was in orbit, and later, after deployment, Project Kuiper posted that it had established communications with all 27 Kuiper satellites. With that, the mission was a full success.The launch was nominal, as was the flight to orbit. At 7:18 Tory Bruno announced on X.com that the payload was in orbit, and later, after deployment, Project Kuiper posted that it had established communications with all 27 Kuiper satellites. With that, the mission was a full success.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Florida Media Now
The launch was nominal, as was the flight to orbit. At 7:18 Tory Bruno announced on X.com that the payload was in orbit, and later, after deployment, Project Kuiper posted that it had established communications with all 27 Kuiper satellites. With that, the mission was a full success.
Launch Replay
Next Launch
| Mission | Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-75 |
|---|---|
| Organization | SpaceX |
| Location | Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 Block 5 |
| Pad | Space Launch Complex 40 |
| Status | To Be Confirmed |
| Status Info | Awaiting official confirmation – current date is known with some certainty. |
| Window Opens | Wednesday, 04/30/2025 10:17:00 PM EDT |
| Window Closes | Thursday, 05/01/2025 2:48:00 AM EDT |
| Destination | Low Earth Orbit |
| Mission Description | A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system. |
Please note that the launch window times are provided in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
For the most current information regarding the launch schedule and status, please refer to official updates from SpaceX.com
Photo: Chris Leymarie, Florida Media Now
