spacetoday.net: First operational Kuiper satellites scheduled for launch

Posted: Sat, Apr 5, 2025, 1:21 PM ET (1721 GMT)
The first operational satellites of Amazon's Project Kuiper constellation will launch next week. Amazon and United Launch Alliance announced Wednesday that the first Atlas 5 launch of 27 Kuiper satellites is scheduled for April 9 from Cape Canaveral. This will be the first batch of operational satellites after another Atlas 5 launched two prototypes in 2023. These satellites feature significant upgrades over the prototypes, including improved phased array antennas, processors, solar arrays, propulsion and optical inter-satellite links. This first launch is roughly a year behind schedule, and Amazon has a July 2026 deadline set by the FCC to deploy half of the roughly 3,200 satellites in the constellation. An Amazon spokesperson said the company is already shipping satellites for a second launch, also on an Atlas 5.