Ariane 64 Marks Historic Milestone With Successful Launch of 32 Amazon Satellites

Europe has taken a major leap forward in the global space‑launch arena with the successful maiden flight of the Ariane 64, the most powerful variant of the Ariane 6 rocket family. The heavy‑lift launcher roared into the skies above Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou on Thursday, carrying 32 satellites for Amazon’s ambitious Amazon Leo broadband constellation.

The launch marks a defining moment for both European space ambitions and Amazon’s rapidly expanding satellite network, which aims to compete directly with SpaceX’s Starlink. The Ariane 64—named for its four strap‑on solid rocket boosters—represents the highest‑capacity configuration of the Ariane 6 program, backed by 13 member nations of the European Space Agency (ESA).

A Powerful Debut for Europe’s New Heavy‑Lift Workhorse

Lifting off at 1:45 p.m. local time, the Ariane 64 demonstrated its full capability by delivering its payload into low Earth orbit approximately 465 kilometers above Earth. The mission lasted 1 hour and 54 minutes from liftoff to the final satellite separation, showcasing the rocket’s precision and reliability.

This flight, designated VA267, is the first of 18 launches contracted by Amazon to deploy its Amazon Leo constellation. The four‑booster configuration enables the Ariane 64 to carry around 20 metric tons to orbit—double the capacity of the Ariane 62 variant. The boosters alone consume 142,000 kilograms of solid propellant in just over two minutes, providing the immense thrust needed for such heavy payloads.

The rocket also flew with its long 20‑meter payload fairing for the first time, bringing its total height to 62 meters. This configuration was essential to accommodate the large batch of satellites aboard this mission.

Amazon Leo: A Constellation With Global Ambitions

Amazon Leo—formerly known as Project Kuiper—is Amazon’s answer to the growing demand for global broadband coverage. With 175 satellites already in orbit before this launch, the company plans to expand its constellation to 3,200 satellites in the coming years. Thursday’s deployment marks the first time Amazon has used a European launcher for its network.

Despite Ariane 6 being positioned as a symbol of European technological sovereignty, Amazon remains its largest commercial partner. The collaboration underscores Europe’s strategic role in the global satellite‑internet race.

A Milestone for Europe’s Space Industry

The successful debut of the Ariane 64 variant is being hailed as a major achievement for Arianespace and its industrial partners. The rocket’s development involved around 600 subcontractors across Europe, with major components built in France and Germany before being shipped to French Guiana on a low‑emission cargo vessel.

Arianespace CEO David Cavaillolès praised the mission as a “major milestone” for both the company and the European space sector, emphasizing that Ariane 6 is now fully equipped to support large‑scale constellation deployments.

Martin Sion, CEO of ArianeGroup, added that the success of the four‑booster configuration demonstrates Europe’s readiness to meet the growing demands of commercial and institutional customers. Plans are already underway to enhance the launcher’s competitiveness and payload capacity in future iterations.

Looking Ahead

With this launch, Europe has firmly positioned itself as a key player in the rapidly evolving satellite‑internet landscape. The Ariane 64’s performance not only strengthens Europe’s independent access to space but also signals its readiness to support the next generation of global communications infrastructure.

As Amazon continues its multi‑launch campaign and Ariane 6 ramps up production, the partnership is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of low‑Earth‑orbit connectivity.