SpaceX moved another step closer to launching the first of a new batch of satellites for Amazon’s burgeoning constellation. On Thursday, the company canceled its launch attempts twice to complete additional vehicle inspections. The first launch of these satellites is currently expected to occur at the earliest this fall. After decades of commitment to the satellite industry, this mission marks a major milestone for SpaceX and Amazon. Together, they are revolutionizing the way satellites operate in orbit.
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 at 8:35 a.m. Eastern time, adjacent to the former space shuttle landing site. This launch in particular was historic, since it relied on a first-stage booster that was flying for the first time. The booster will go for a landing on the droneship “A Shortfall of Gravitas.” This particular ship is homeported in Norfolk, Virginia and operates in the Atlantic Ocean.
Weather Delays and Technical Checks
Messy path to launch due in large part to dramatic weather patterns. Scrubs took place over the weekend at both the launch site and booster recovery site. In light of these considerations, SpaceX has made the determination to err on the side of safety and conduct further inspections of the vehicle. On Thursday and Friday, they cancelled two launch windows. That stoked additional hype leading up to the launch.
These delays may seem excessive, but they are standard fare for the aerospace industry, where failure is not an option. That additional time enabled engineers to double check that every system was ready to operate perfectly before their long-term mission could continue.
A Focused Preparation Process
The processing facility in Cape Canaveral can process satellites for three simultaneous launches. This feature is a true testament to their smart infrastructure. Satellites scheduled for an upcoming launch are shipped to Florida for their final integration and preparations. This makes absolutely certain that they are ready to roll when and if the launch window opens.
As a sign of this cooperation between the two companies, SpaceX subsequently partnered with Amazon to execute three contracted flights. KA-01 was just under four weeks ago, when they successfully launched 24 satellites in the KA-02 mission. Amazon has plans to deploy 1,618 satellites by the middle of 2026. This ambitious plan is the driving force behind these launches and highlights why satellite communications has become an extremely competitive landscape.
The Broader Landscape of Satellite Launches
SpaceX’s role in launching Amazon’s satellites points towards a wider shift at the intersection of the aerospace industry and larger tech companies. Now companies such as United Launch Alliance (ULA), SpaceX, and soon to come, Blue Origin are all launching from Cape Canaveral. It makes for a dynamic, fertile, and energetic atmosphere around satellite launches. Combined with the Vulcan rocket’s ability to launch around 45 of these satellites at once, the competition is fierce between these providers.
The partnership between SpaceX and Amazon represents a growing trend toward mutually beneficial collaborative efforts in the race to create worldwide satellite-based communication networks. As these private companies facilitate this cooperation, they’ll help attract more investment to deploy new internet access and other services to all corners of our communities.