Arianespace to Launch 36 Amazon Leo Satellites on June 17, 2026, Aboard an Ariane 64 Equipped with Upgraded Boosters

• On June 17, 2026, Arianespace will place 36 Amazon Leo constellation satellites into orbit using an Ariane 64 launcher equipped for the first time with four upgraded P160C solid rocket boosters.
• Amazon Leo is Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite network, designed to provide fast and reliable internet connectivity to underserved populations.
• Designated VA269 by Arianespace and LE-03 (Leo Europe 03) by Amazon, this mission will be the third consecutive Ariane 6 launch in support of the constellation.
• Carrying 36 satellites—four more than the VA267 LE-01 and VA268 LE-02 missions—Ariane 6 will demonstrate its versatility and increased performance by delivering the heaviest payload ever carried by an Ariane launcher.
• Launch window on June 17, 2026:
  • 07:53 – 08:22 (Washington, D.C.)
  • 08:53 – 09:22 (Kourou)
  • 11:53 – 12:22 (UTC)
  • 13:53 – 14:22 (Paris)

The VA269 mission, designated LE-03 for Amazon Leo, is the third flight in a series of 18 that Ariane 6 will perform as part of the constellation’s deployment. It will also mark Ariane 6’s eighth flight and its third since the beginning of the year.

Beyond deploying additional Amazon Leo satellites, mission VA269 represents a new milestone in Ariane 6’s ramp-up. Less than two years after its inaugural flight, the European launcher is already benefiting from its first major upgrade with the introduction of P160C boosters, increasing performance while preserving overall architecture.

With 36 satellites onboard, Ariane 6 will provide a tangible demonstration of this performance increase by carrying the heaviest payload ever launched by a member of the Ariane family.

The P160C boosters are among the world’s largest monolithic carbon-fiber solid rocket motors, intended to replace the P120C used during Ariane 6’s initial missions. While external dimensions remain unchanged, the P160C features a motor one meter longer and can carry 156 metric tons of solid propellant each—10% more than the P120C—raising Ariane 64’s LEO payload capability to about 22 metric tons.

Protected beneath the launcher’s 20-meter-long fairing, the satellites will be injected into low Earth orbit following a flight lasting 1 hour and 51 minutes, from liftoff to separation of the final satellite.

The 36 Amazon Leo satellites arrived in Kourou on April 14 and 16 and are undergoing preparation at the Guiana Space Centre. Ariane 6’s core stage and four P160C boosters are already assembled on the launch pad for flight VA269.

Amazon Leo is Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite network, aimed at providing fast and reliable connectivity to populations lacking adequate access. Through this mission, Arianespace supports the expansion of connectivity services worldwide.

VA269 at a glance

• 361st launch operated by Arianespace and Arianespace’s 3rd launch of 2026
• 8th Ariane 6 flight and 3rd in Ariane 64 configuration
• First Ariane 64 flight with four P160C boosters, its most powerful configuration
• Third launch in a series of 18 missions performed by Arianespace for Amazon Leo
• 36 Amazon Leo satellites, the heaviest payload ever carried by an Ariane launcher
• Upon completion, 100 Amazon Leo satellites placed into orbit in five months

Source: Arianespace