BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Another exciting rocket launch happened Friday on Florida’s Space Coast.
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United Launch Alliance successfully launched an Atlas V rocket for Amazon’s first-ever satellite mission.
ULA and Amazon are sending two prototype satellites into low-Earth orbit.
Watch: ULA rolls out new Vulcan Centaur rocket for test fire at Kennedy Space Center
Successful Atlas staging is confirmed. The first stage of flight completed with engine cutoff and separation of #AtlasV's common core booster. The Centaur upper stage continues the ascent by accelerating the #Amazon #ProjectKuiper payload into LEO. https://t.co/sau6KFp9Ly pic.twitter.com/hmKZSdpdHi
— ULA (@ulalaunch) October 6, 2023
The launch from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened at 2:06 p.m.
The mission, called Project Kuiper, is Amazon’s plan to use broadband satellites to provide internet service.
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Amazon said it plans to launch more than 3,200 satellites over the next six years.
“Right now, Starlink has about 5,000 satellites, so they’re actually a little behind the game,” said Dr. Ken Kremer with Space UpClose.
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The #AtlasV countdown has entered the planned 21-minute built-in hold at T-minus 4 minutes. The final readiness polls will be performed during this hold before permission is given to launch. Liftoff time remains 2:06pmEDT (1806 UTC). https://t.co/sau6KFp9Ly pic.twitter.com/NGNNwZhiFm
— ULA (@ulalaunch) October 6, 2023
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