
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
China's 1st reusable rocket explodes in dramatic fireball during landing after reaching orbit on debut flight - 2
A Past filled with Old Civilizations: The World's Most established Societies - 3
Scientists document a death from a meat allergy tied to certain ticks - 4
Hoist Your Style: Famous Hairdos for Ladies - 5
The most effective method to Alter Your Kona SUV for Greatest Solace and Comfort
Fears of global aluminum shortages intensify
Netanyahu on Gush Etzion terror attack: 'We will complete war on all fronts'
In the background: Visiting Notable Film Areas All over the Planet
This is Countdown, CNN’s newsletter covering NASA’s first time sending humans to deep space in over 50 years
Russia confirms 16 Cameroonian soldiers killed in Ukraine war
Watch Chinese astronauts enjoy '1st ever space BBQ' from Tiangong's brand-new oven (video)
‘Wicked: For Good’ streaming release — How to watch the sequel starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo
Opening Potential: Self-awareness and Long lasting Learning
Putin critic gets six years in penal colony, vows hunger strike













