Amazon is ready to deploy the Leo satellite broadband service

Thanks to a recent ULA Atlas V launch, Leo now has enough satellites in space.

ULA A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket left for space in the early hours of July 2, bringing 29 Amazon Leo satellites with it. Amazon says the rocket has successfully deployed the satellites and that it has already established contact with them in orbit, as well as ensured that they were in working condition. All that remains is raising the satellites to their assigned operational altitude of 392 miles, after which, Leo will be ready to begin providing customers access to its satellite broadband service.

This ULA launch, which took off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, brings the total number of operational Leo satellites to over 390. That's "enough to support continuous service across initial latitudes," said Amazon Leo VP Chris Weber. After putting 224 Leo satellites in space, this is the Atlas V's rocket last mission for the project, as well. The next Leo mission will be using ULA's heavy-lift Vulcan vehicle, which can carry more than 40 satellites for every launch and can fly more frequently, allowing Amazon to expand the service's coverage and capacity more quickly.