Amazon Leo Plans First Vulcan Launch with 40 Satellites to Accelerate Constellation Deployment
Amazon Leo's LV-01 mission will carry 40 satellites, setting a new payload record and utilizing new facilities to shorten launch intervals.
Amazon's low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet project, "Amazon Leo," has announced that its first mission aboard United Launch Alliance's (ULA) Vulcan rocket (LV-01) is targeting liftoff on November 13, 2026, from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The mission will deliver 40 satellites to orbit, marking the largest single-launch payload for the program to date.
LV-01 is the first of 38 launches contracted between Amazon and ULA. To maximize capacity, this inaugural mission features an optimized version of ULA's Centaur V upper stage and a six-booster configuration for the Vulcan rocket. Melissa Wuerl, Director of Launch Systems for Amazon Leo, stated that Vulcan will serve as the primary workhorse for the next several years, launching nearly half of the first-generation constellation.
Beyond rocket upgrades, Amazon has invested in new infrastructure at Cape Canaveral, including a dedicated Vertical Integration Facility (VIF-A) and mobile launch platforms. These assets allow ULA to prepare two Vulcan missions simultaneously, reducing turnaround times between launches to days or weeks. LV-02 is already being prepared in a separate facility and is expected to launch within weeks of a nominal LV-01 mission.
This development signifies a critical step in scaling the Amazon Leo program. With satellite production milestones met (the 1,000th satellite was completed in early September) and increased launch frequency, Amazon aims to ensure diversity and speed in constellation deployment through a multi-provider strategy involving Arianespace, Blue Origin, and SpaceX, laying the groundwork for upcoming service rollouts.