Arianespace has successfully launched 32 satellites for Amazon’s low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation, marking its second mission for the program using the Ariane 6 rocket.
The launch took place at 08:57 UTC from the ELA-4 launch complex in French Guiana, with the rocket flying in its Ariane 64 configuration, which includes four solid-fuel boosters. The first satellite was deployed just under 90 minutes after liftoff, with all 32 satellites released across 12 separation events over approximately 25 minutes.
As with the previous mission in February, the satellites were inserted into low Earth orbit at an altitude between 450 and 470 kilometres. The orbital profile has previously drawn scrutiny from SpaceX, which filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) after the earlier launch, alleging that the deployment exceeded the authorised target orbit of 400 kilometres.
Amazon said at the time that FCC personnel were aware of the revised orbit and noted that similar altitudes had been used in launches conducted by SpaceX using its Falcon 9 rocket. The company added it is working on “significant operational changes” and plans to lower its target insertion altitude starting with its fourth flight with Arianespace.
Arianespace has been contracted to carry out 18 launches for Amazon’s satellite network, which is being developed to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink broadband system. The company said it aims to conduct up to eight Ariane 6 launches in 2026, with a significant share allocated to Amazon missions.
The launch comes as Arianespace seeks to stabilise its financial position following a period of declining revenues and accumulated losses. By the end of 2025, the company had recorded losses of €372 million. In December, Arianespace undertook a recapitalisation process, reducing its share capital to zero to absorb losses before issuing €200 million in new capital fully subscribed by ArianeGroup, making it a wholly owned subsidiary.
The company’s revenue has fallen from €1.4 billion in 2015 to €152 million in 2024, reflecting challenges including the retirement of the Ariane 5 rocket, delays to Ariane 6, competition from SpaceX, and setbacks with the Vega-C launcher.
