Europe Delivers for Amazon as Competing Rockets Stumble
TL;DR
Amazon has hundreds of Leo satellites built and idle in Florida while Ariane 6 is carrying out launches from French Guiana, including a 36-satellite payload on LE-03. So far this year only Ariane 6 has delivered for Amazon, as Blue Origin’s New Glenn and ULA’s Vulcan have yet to launch any Amazon satellites; a recent New Glenn test explosion and BE-4 engine issues further cloud those programs. Amazon emphasizes a diversified launch portfolio and says it remains on track to begin commercial service later this year, though only about 10% of its planned 3,236-satellite constellation has deployed to date.
- Among the large new rockets Amazon was counting on, only Europe has delivered Ars Technica
- Watch European rocket launch record-breaking mission for Amazon on June 17 Space
- Watch live: bigger booster, more powerful Ariane 6 launch European Space Agency
- High-Capacity Constellation Scaling Trend Hunter
- Ariane 6 set to launch the heaviest payload in Ariane history, 36 Amazon Leo satellites, on the debut of upgraded boosters Space Daily
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