Among the large new rockets Amazon was counting on, only Europe has delivered

Merci beaucoup Among the large new rockets Amazon was counting on, only Europe has delivered “As for Arianespace, they have definitely stepped up.” Eric Berger – Jun 16, 2026 5:14 pm | 33 Three dozen Leo satellites are encapsulated inside the Ariane 6's 20-meter long fairing ahead of Leo Europe 3 (LE-03). Credit: Amazon Three dozen Leo satellites are encapsulated inside the Ariane 6's 20-meter long fairing ahead of Leo Europe 3 (LE-03). Credit: Amazon Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only    Learn more Minimize to nav Amazon now has hundreds of flight-ready satellites standing idle in Florida, waiting to join the company’s low-Earth orbit Internet constellation, an Amazon official said Tuesday. “They’re built, and sitting in a payload processing facility waiting for trips to orbit,” said Steve Metayer, vice president of Amazon Leo Production Operations, during a teleconference with reporters. “And we’re currently manufacturing several satellites a day.” Metayer spoke on the eve of the company’s next mission, during which an Ariane 64 rocket will launch three dozen Amazon Leo satellites into orbit from a spaceport in French Guiana. Liftoff is targeted for 7:53 am ET (11:53 UTC) on Wednesday. Arianespace steps up France-based Arianespace has emerged as a critical partner for Amazon, which, to date, has had the majority of its 331 satellites launched on Atlas V rockets. However, Amazon has just one more mission booked on this rocket, which is operated by United Launch Alliance, as the vehicle is slated for retirement. To launch the majority of its Leo constellation, Amazon booked rides on three large, new rockets four years ago: 18 launches on the Ariane 6 rocket, 12 launches on Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, with options for 15 additional launches; and 38 launches of the United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket. But of these new rockets, only Arianespace has delivered so f