(NET) Atlas V 551 • Kuiper 28–54

(NET) Atlas V 551 • Kuiper 28–54

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, designated AV-10?, will launch the second batch of 27 operational satellites for Amazon's Kuiper constellation. The mission is known as Kuiper 2 by ULA and KA-02 by Amazon. Total payload mass will be around 18 tonnes. Atlas will deploy the satellites in an initial orbit of 450km altitude, the satellites will then use their electric propulsion systems to settle into their assigned final orbits. The Kuiper constellation will enable Internet service for customers between 56 degrees north and south latitude. Atlas will fly in the 551 vehicle configuration with a five-meter medium length fairing, five GEM-63 solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. - Operational satellites of the Kuiper constellation are a significant upgrade from the two prototype satellites of the Protoflight mission. The ~572kg satellites are equipped with Hall-effect thruster technology for propulsion. They feature improved systems and sub-systems on board, including phased array antennas, processors, solar arrays, propulsion systems, and optical inter-satellite links. In addition, the satellites are coated in a dielectric mirror film unique to Kuiper that scatters reflected sunlight to help make them less visible to ground-based astronomers. Kuiper is planned to work in concert with Amazon's network of 12 satellite ground station facilities. In addition to connecting to ground stations, satellites will interconnect via optical infrared laser connections. Amazon refers to this technology as OISL (optical inter-satellite link). The Kuiper constellation is planned to consist of 3236 satellites operating in 98 orbital planes in three orbital shells, one each at 590km, 610km and 630km orbital altitude. Kuiper satellites will fly in mid-inclination orbits, enabling Internet service for customers between 56 degrees north and south latitude. Phase 1 of deployment will be 578 satellites at 630km altitude and an orbital inclination of 51.9 degrees. A total of five phases of constellation development are planned. Webcast:  https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch https://spaceflightnow.com

📍 Cape Canaveral AFS Launch Complex 41, Titan III Rd, Titusville, FL 32780, USA

🔖 WorldwideSpaceLaunches