Kuiper 00629

Description

Kuiper 00629 is the twenty-first of 29 simultaneously launched Amazon Leo communication satellites. They are part of the LA-08 mission. The rocket took a northeast trajectory after launch and delivered the satellites into a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).

Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon. This constellation is planned to be composed of 3,236 satellites. The satellites are projected to be placed in 98 orbital planes in three orbital layers, one at 590 km, 610 km, and 630 km altitude. They are equipped with Hall-effect thruster technology.

Atlas V is an expendable launch vehicle with an RD-180 engine on its first stage, fueled by kerosene and LOX. The Centaur upper stage is powered by two RL10 engines, fueled by liquid hydrogen and LOX. The Atlas V 551 variant has five Graphite-Epoxy Motor (GEM-63) solid rocket boosters (SRBs), each capable of generating 1,649 kN of thrust at liftoff. Atlas V will loft the 29 internet satellites, with a combined mass of 16,800 kg, for the Amazon Leo constellation.

LA-08 is the eighth and final launch of Amazon Leo aboard the Atlas rocket, which is being phased out in favor of ULA’s Vulcan. This was Atlas V’s 110th mission, the United Launch Alliance’s 174th mission, and the 157th orbital launch attempt of 2026.