Amazon reaches milestone for internet service launch

Investing.com -- A United Launch Alliance rocket carried 29 satellites for Amazon.com Inc. into orbit on Thursday, marking a step toward the company's planned broadband service launch later this year as it competes with SpaceX's Starlink network.

The Atlas V rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 12:30 a.m. local time, carrying the latest group of Amazon Leo satellites.

Amazon has now deployed more than 390 satellites, completing enough launches for initial service this year, according to Chris Weber, vice president of business and product for Amazon Leo. Weber said in an X post that work remains ahead, including raising the new satellites to their assigned altitude.

United Launch Alliance's Atlas V has launched about 60% of Amazon's satellites to date. Future missions will use the company's Vulcan rocket.

United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp., has faced delays and technical problems with the Vulcan rocket. The vehicle has flown only four times since its first launch in January 2024 and has not launched since a technical issue occurred during a February mission.

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