
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket will launch its heaviest-ever payload on Saturday morning (April 4), and you can watch the action live.
The Atlas V is scheduled to lift off Saturday at 1:45 a.m. EDT (0545 GMT) from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, carrying 29 satellites for the Amazon Leo broadband constellation to orbit. Together, those spacecraft weigh 18 tons, according to ULA.
You can watch it live here at Space.com, courtesy of ULA, or directly via the company. Coverage will begin 20 minutes before launch.
The Amazon Leo megaconstellation, previously known as Project Kuiper, will eventually consist of about 3,200 satellites in low Earth orbit. It's Amazon's answer to SpaceX's Starlink network, which beams internet service down from more than 10,000 satellites (and counting).
Amazon Leo is still in its early stages; just 212 of the spacecraft have reached orbit to date over the course of eight launches (not counting a 2023 liftoff that sent up two prototype satellites).
The Atlas V has flown four of those operational missions. Three employed SpaceX's Falcon 9, and the other one used Arianespace's Ariane 6 heavy lifter.
Saturday's launch, which Amazon calls LA-05, will be the first Atlas V mission to loft 29 Amazon Leo satellites; the others carried 27 of the spacecraft.
"The increase is a result of detailed engineering work between Amazon Leo and ULA, and is made possible by a new, higher-performing version of the RL10C engine used on the rocket's Centaur upper stage," Amazon representatives wrote in a mission description. "While the engine has flown on previous missions, LA-05 marks the first time the program has completed the extensive engineering and safety analysis required to use it with our larger payload."
And that payload is larger in a significant way, according to the LA-05 mission description: "With 29 satellites aboard, LA-05 will mark the heaviest payload ever flown on an Atlas V."
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Exploring the Gig Economy: Examples from Consultants - 2
Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces new sexual assault allegations, currently under investigation by Los Angeles Sheriff's Department - 3
What's the Fate of 5G Innovation? - 4
Portable Installment Answers for Independent ventures - 5
Damaged launch pad: How long before Russia can send astronauts to the ISS again?
Step by step instructions to Guarantee Your Fender bender Legal counselor has Areas of strength for a Record
'Home Alone' actor Joe Pesci said 'no' to this stunt until he saw a 9-year-old girl do it, says director Chris Columbus
Most loved Web-based feature: Which Stage Do You Like
The race is on to turn your body into a GLP-1 factory
Louisiana seeks California doctor’s extradition, testing the limits of shield laws
FDA approves Wegovy pill for weight loss
Astonishing Deserts All over The Planet You Really want To Visit
Social Skylines d: A Survey of \Inside and out Social Experiences\ Language Learning Book
The Electric Bicycle Americans Can Confide in 2024











