Launches / Ariane 64 Block 2

Past launch Launched successfully

Amazon Leo (LE-03)

Ariane 64 Block 2, flown by Arianespace

Ariane 64 Block 2 lifting off with the Amazon Leo (LE-03) mission
Image via The Space Devs.

This was Arianespace's 3rd launch of 2026, and its 327th in all.

Counting every operator, it was the 145th orbital launch attempt anywhere in 2026, and the third from Ariane Launch Area 4.

Launched
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 12:21 p.m. UTC
Window
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 11:53 a.m. to 12:22 p.m. UTC
Launch site
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Rocket
Ariane 64 Block 2
Operator
Arianespace

Watch the webcast →

The mission

Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access, this constellation will be managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon. This constellation is planned to be composed of 3,276 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. 36 satellites will be carried on this Ariane 6 launch.

Type
Communications
Destination
Low Earth orbit
Program
Amazon Leo

Amazon Leo is a satellite internet constellation aimed at providing high-speed, low-latency broadband connectivity to underserved and remote areas globally. The project involves deploying a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to create a satellite internet network capable of delivering reliable internet access.

en.wikipedia.org →

The rocket

Ariane 6 variant with four upgraded P160C solid boosters, enabling heavier payloads. Each P160C booster holds 14 additional tons of propellant, compared to the P120C boosters of the Block 1 variant.

Height
63 m
Built by
ArianeGroup
First flew
June 17, 2026
Lifts to low Earth orbit
21,900 kg
View 3 specifications Show less
Lifts to geostationary transfer
11,700 kg
Diameter
5.4 m
Stages
2

One flight so far, successful.

Wikipedia →

The operator

Arianespace

Arianespace SA is a multinational company founded in 1980 as the world's first commercial launch service provider. It undertakes the production, operation, and marketing of the Ariane programme. Their vehicles launch exclusively from French Guiana in South America.

Sector
Commercial
Based in
France
Founded
1980
Run by
David Cavaillolès, CEO

328 launches so far, 313 of them successful. The last 16 in a row went to plan.

arianespace.com → Wikipedia →

The launch site

It went up from Ariane Launch Area 4 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.

See the pad on a map →

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