Atlas V glitch delays second Project Kuiper launch

Amazon's satellite constellation hits another snag as ULA rocket aborts on pad

A hardware glitch on United Launch Alliance's (ULA) workhorse Atlas V rocket delayed the launch of the second batch of Project Kuiper satellites.

The problem was identified while the rocket's Centaur upper stage was fueling. ULA boss Tory Bruno posted on BlueSky that the team was "working a temperature measurement warmer than previous family," before admitting the problem needed more time for resolution. Bruno said: "Possible issue with a GN2 purge line that cannot be resolved inside the count. We will need to stand down for today."

ULA confirmed that the rocket would not be going to space, with a post on X stating: "The launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551 carrying Amazon's second Project Kuiper mission, Kuiper 2, is delayed due to an engineering observation of an elevated purge temperature within the booster engine. The team will evaluate the hardware, and we will release a new launch date when available."

Project Kuiper finally began full-scale deployment of its low Earth orbit satellite network on April 28 at 1901 EDT (2301 UTC). A ULA Atlas V rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and deployed the first batch of 27 satellites into space at an altitude of 450 km (280 miles).

The Atlas V has an enviable record of successful launches, although it is no longer being sold. Amazon signed up for nine rockets, including one for a test flight, and 38 of its successor, the Vulcan Centaur, to loft the majority of the Project Kuiper constellation. After some substantial delays, the Vulcan Centaur finally made its maiden flight in January 2024, although it has yet to carry a Project Kuiper payload.

The Vulcan Centaur uses Blue Origin BE-4 engines to power its first stage, instead of the Russian RD-180 of the Atlas V.

The clock is ticking for Project Kuiper. It has the seemingly impossible task of getting approximately half of its planned 3,200 spacecraft into orbit and operational by July 2026 [PDF]. It is also up against SpaceX's Starlink constellation, which comprises more than 7,500 spacecraft.

There have been more than 20 Starlink launches since the first (and only) operational batch of Project Kuiper satellites was sent into space.

The Register asked Team Bezos if it was on track to meet the deadline, but the company has yet to respond. ®