Amazon Leo orders six more Ariane 6 launches
In Paris, France, Amazon Leo ordered six additional satellite launches using the Ariane 6 launch vehicle. The agreement, announced on September 9 at a space summit, was reported by Channel NewsAsia, citing launch operator Arianespace.
24 launches by 2031
Following the new order, the total number of Ariane launches ordered by Amazon reached 24. They are planned to be carried out by 2031. The new missions are expected to begin in 2029 using the higher-payload Ariane 64 version, ArianeGroup's commercial division said.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the agreement at the opening of the two-day summit. Arianespace has already placed 100 Amazon Leo satellites into orbit as part of three Ariane 6 missions this year.
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Amazon's satellite network
Amazon plans to provide global broadband internet access through a network of thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit. This project competes with SpaceX's Starlink network, which already has millions of customers worldwide.
Previously, Amazon mainly used United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket for launches — a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The company was also subject to a regulatory requirement to launch half of its initial constellation of 3,232 satellites by this summer, but it was canceled in June after Amazon cited a shortage of available launches.
Arianespace said it has orders for around 30 launches, while slots remain available in the schedule for 2029 and 2030.
