24/7 Space News
ROCKET SCIENCE
Amazon satellite launch scrubbed due to weather
Amazon satellite launch scrubbed due to weather
By Charlotte CAUSIT
Washington (AFP) April 10, 2025

Weather prevented a rocket carrying the first batch of Amazon satellites designed to compete with Elon Musk's Starlink from lifting off Wednesday, in a setback for the planned Project Kuiper network.

"Stubborn cumulus clouds and persistent winds make liftoff not possible within the available window," read a liveblog update from operator United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

Cumulus clouds are a particular danger for rockets as a nearby launch can trigger lightning strikes, ULA added.

Livestream footage showed steam venting from the white Atlas V rocket laden with 27 Project Kuiper satellites as it stood on the launchpad through successive delays.

Liftoff from Cape Canaveral in the US state of Florida had originally been slated for 7:00 pm (2300 GMT).

Like Starlink, the Kuiper service is designed to provide internet access to even the most remote and underserved areas around the world, including war zones or disaster-struck areas.

Once in orbit, the satellites will be positioned hundreds of miles above the Earth, where they will form the foundations of Project Kuiper -- a constellation that Amazon says will include more than 3,200 satellites.

Amazon, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, has said the internet service will go live this year.

The project's pricing has not yet been revealed, but Amazon has promised it will be in line with its existing reputation as a low-cost retailer.

Its first launch will put Amazon into direct competition with SpaceX's Starlink and other satellite internet providers.

The Musk-owned SpaceX launched the first batch of its more than 6,750 operational Starlink satellites in 2019 and is by far the sector's biggest player, boasting over five million customers worldwide.

Starlink has provided internet access to several disaster and war zones, including Morocco after a devastating 2023 earthquake there, as well as on the frontlines in Ukraine in its war with Russia.

- High competition -

Unlike traditional internet services that rely on fewer satellites that are situated more than 35,000 kilometers (22,000 miles) from Earth, those offered by Musk and soon Bezos use a low Earth orbit of between 550 and 1,300 kilometers (350-810 miles).

This allows them to relay data more rapidly to Earth, enabling internet access in areas without landline connections by copper or fiber optic cable.

"Cost, complexity, and geography can make it difficult to install traditional, ground-based fiber and wireless connectivity solutions in these areas," Amazon says.

A lower orbit, however, means so-called LEO satellites are only reachable from a smaller area, meaning more are needed for full global coverage and launches are more regular.

Still, it provides a large potential market for Amazon -- one in which it is hoping to become a key player by catching up with its main competitor.

Amazon is planning to boost satellite launches in the coming months and years, with more than 80 flights ordered by firms including ULA, Bezos's space company Blue Origin and even Musk's SpaceX.

These satellites will be gradually dispatched to the low Earth orbit, which is increasingly populated by Starlink as well as other emerging actors including Europe's OneWeb and China's Guowang.

Some have voiced fears the growing number of satellites could lead to congestion and possible collisions, as well as disturbances for astronomical observations.

The role of private hands in space has also raised political questions, particularly given the role of Musk as a key advisor to US President Donald Trump.

Musk has cast doubt on the future of Starlink in Ukraine, where it is essential for military operations in Kyiv's war with Russia that Trump wants to see ended.

He said in March, however, that "no matter how much I disagree with the Ukraine policy, Starlink will never turn off its terminals."

cha/vla/bjt-tgb/aha

Amazon.com

BOEING

LOCKHEED MARTIN

Related Links
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ROCKET SCIENCE
Rocket Lab tapped to join US Space Force national security launch initiative
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 30, 2025
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has been named a qualified launch provider by the U.S. Space Force under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 program, a strategic effort to bolster America's most critical space missions. The five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract, valued up to $5.6 billion, allows Rocket Lab to compete for launches through June 2029. Central to Rocket Lab's participation is its next-generation Neutron rocket, a reusable carbon com ... read more

ROCKET SCIENCE
Trump's NASA chief pick says will 'prioritize' Mars mission

Hera spacecraft trials autonomous navigation during Mars encounter

Existing laws offer pathway to prevent warfare in space

ISS National Lab unveils startup accelerator to drive innovation in orbit

ROCKET SCIENCE
SpaceX launches next round of Internet satellites from California

Amazon satellite launch scrubbed due to weather

ISRO advances nextgen rocket power with successful semi cryogenic engine test

ISRO completes extended plasma thruster test for future satellite propulsion

ROCKET SCIENCE
How to engineer microbes to enable us to live on Mars

A step closer to Martian habitability as lichens endure simulated surface conditions

A step closer to Martian survival as lichens endure harsh red planet conditions

Martian dust may endanger astronaut health during surface missions

ROCKET SCIENCE
Microbial profile mapped aboard China space station

China logs 15th orbital mission with launch of Tianlian II-04

China highlights major strides in moon research and exploration

Space station advances muscle and semiconductor science

ROCKET SCIENCE
Eutelsat expands airborne internet with operational LEO service for aircraft

Amazon prepares to launch first full batch of Project Kuiper satellites

Sateliot secures major backing to scale 5G IoT satellite network

Aventura launches first fund with $9.5M SpaceX investment vehicle

ROCKET SCIENCE
Sierra Space teams with Honda and Tec-Masters for ISS clean energy test

Honda to test renewable tech in space soon

A football field of archives shaped the identity of the Royal Observatory

How Altegrio is Redefining AI Development Services

ROCKET SCIENCE
Saturn's moon Titan could harbor life, but only a tiny amount, study finds

In the quest for alien life, even empty results hold value

Microscopy study in Earths harsh environments informs alien life search

NASA uncovers complex teamwork in magnetic bacteria

ROCKET SCIENCE
20 years of Hubble data reveals evolving weather patterns on Uranus

NASA's Hubble Telescope May Have Uncovered a Triple System in the Kuiper Belt

NASA's Europa Clipper Leverages Mars for Critical Gravity Assist

Oort cloud resembles a galaxy, new study finds

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.