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Amazon.com Inc. is set to launch its first pair of prototype internet satellites next month on a different rocket than originally planned. The satellites will be part of Amazon’s Kuiper program, which aims to provide global internet coverage from space. The launch is scheduled for September 26, and the spacecraft will now be launched onboard an Atlas V rocket from the United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed.

Previously, Amazon had intended to launch the satellites on ULA’s new Vulcan rocket. However, delays with Vulcan’s development have led Amazon to make the switch to the Atlas V rocket. This decision was prompted by a regulatory deadline for Amazon to deploy half of its planned 3,200 satellites by 2026.

Amazon is investing billion into its satellite internet project in order to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink network and expand its web services. The company has secured 83 launches in 2022 to deploy its satellites into orbit, making it the largest commercial launch procurement ever. Nine of these launches will utilize the Atlas V rocket, which has a proven track record in launching satellites for NASA and national security missions for the Pentagon.

The Atlas V rocket is in the final stages of its mission before retirement, with 19 more missions yet to fly. It was unclear whether the upcoming September launch counts as one of the nine launches that Amazon previously procured.

Amazon’s decision to switch rockets demonstrates the company’s determination to meet its ambitious goals for its satellite internet network. By utilizing the Atlas V rocket, Amazon can mitigate further delays and ensure timely deployment of its internet satellites.

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