Amazon is purchasing up to 83 launches from Arianespace, Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance—in addition to the 9 Atlas V launches they bought last year—to deploy their Project Kuiper constellation. This is a huge deal that changes the game for heavy lift launch providers, and has major implications for the small launch providers in the industry.

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Topics

• Amazon signs multibillion-dollar Project Kuiper launch contracts - SpaceNews
• Arianespace, ULA, Blue Origin discuss executing ambitious Kuiper constellation missions for Amazon - NASASpaceFlight.com
• Amazon launch contracts drive changes to launch vehicle production - SpaceNews
• Andrew Parsonson on Twitter: “Interesting details from @Arianespace regarding the @amazon deal. 16 of the 18 missions will be launched aboard the Ariane 64 with the upgraded P120C+ boosters. The new boosters are set to be introduced in 2025 and only if they are approved by @esa Member States in November.”
• Episode 55 - I’ve Slept on a Torpedo - Off-Nominal

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• Music by Max Justus
• Artwork photo by NASA/Ben Smegelsky