Amazon aims to increase satellite production and launch cadence for Leo

The construction of Amazon's Leo satellite constellation is on schedule: More than 200 satellites are already in orbit. Others are ready. Currently, Leo is the third-largest satellite constellation in orbit, according to Amazon.

For the coming month, according to Amazon, three more satellite launches are scheduled. This means they are on track to carry out eleven launches in the first year of construction. In the future, the number is expected to increase to 20 launches per year.

Currently, according to Amazon, six fully equipped payloads with around 200 satellites are ready at the launch preparation facility in the US state of Florida, and another payload is being prepared in Kourou in the French overseas department of French Guiana.

Heavy-lift rockets are to bring Leo satellites into space

To bring as many satellites as possible into space at once, Amazon relies on heavy-lift rockets. The first transport with a heavy-lift rocket took place in February: the European Ariane 6 launch vehicle carried 32 satellites into space.

In addition to the Ariane 6, the Vulcan Centaur from the US space company United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Jeff Bezos' company Blue Origin's New Glenn will also be used. The Vulcan Centaur is initially expected to be able to transport 40 satellites, and the New Glenn 48 satellites. All three rockets have enough space for additional satellites.

According to Amazon, the Ariane will soon be equipped with improved boosters, allowing it to carry more satellites into space. Improvements are also being made to the Atlas V: by using a more powerful engine, ULA's rocket will transport 29 satellites instead of the previous 27 on its upcoming missions. The first flight with 29 satellites on board is planned for next Sunday.

Amazon is building the Leo satellites in its factory in Kirkland, Washington State, USA. Currently, several satellites are rolling off the production line per day, Amazon announced. However, the capacity could still be increased: it would be possible to build 30 satellites per week. However, this is not currently being utilized because there are not enough launch vehicles available.

Capacities for 800 satellites booked

Amazon has booked 100 more satellite launches, including with Blue Origin and its competitor SpaceX. 80 of these are intended for the construction of the first generation, and the rest for the satellites of the second generation. The reserved capacities are expected to be sufficient to launch more than 800 satellites into space.

To implement this launch frequency, Amazon has invested over 200 million US dollars in modernizing ULA's launch facilities at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA, and in a second ship that transports boosters from ULA's plant in Alabama to Cape Canaveral.

In addition, Amazon has built the launch preparation facility in Florida. A comparable facility is also planned for Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, to enable satellite launches from the West Coast in the future.

(wpl)