On Monday, October 13 at 9:58 p.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched the KF-03 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photos captured by Satnews.
The Kuiper deployment sequence began more than 56 minutes after liftoff and wrapped up less than eight minutes later. It brings the satellite constellation up to a total of 153 in low Earth orbit. This was the sixth overall mission supporting the Kuiper constellation.
This was the second flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched KF-02. After stage separation, the first stage landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which was be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Another Amazon KF-03 mission delay as SpaceX now targets Monday
SpaceX is targeting Monday, October 13 for a Falcon 9 launch of the KF-03 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 8:08 p.m. ET with additional opportunities available until 10:22 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup launch opportunity is available on Tuesday, October 14 starting at 7:46 p.m. ET.
According to weather officials, there’s a 95% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. Officials are monitoring weather conditions with concerns related to Cumulus Cloud Rule. The forecast calls for a temperature of 75°F, clear skies, 0% cloud cover and a wind speed of 14mph.
The Falcon 9 will carry the 24 Kuiper craft that will be released in the upper stage at an altitude of 289 miles (465 kilometers), over a 7.5-minute stretch that begins 56.5 minutes after liftoff.
“From there, we perform initial satellite health checks and prepare to raise the satellites to their assigned altitude of 392 miles (630 km), where they will be fully commissioned as part of our operational satellite constellation,” Amazon representatives wrote in a mission description.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app.
This will be the second flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched KF-02. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Amazon’s KF-03 mission now planned for Sunday by SpaceX with calmer seas
After postponing the KF-03 since Monday, SpaceX is now targeting Sunday, October 12 for a Falcon 9 launch of the KF-03 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 8:29 p.m. ET with additional opportunities available until 10:44 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup launch opportunity is available on Monday, October 13 starting at 8:08 p.m. ET.
Facing rough seas offshore along the Eastern Seaboard, SpaceX is now targeting 8:29 p.m. Sunday, October 12, for liftoff from Launch Complex 40. The mission for Amazon is to deploy Amazon’s 28 satellites into low-Earth orbit.
According to weather officials, there’s a 95% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. Officials are monitoring weather conditions with concerns related to Cumulus Cloud Rule. The forecast calls for a temperature of 75°F, few clouds, 22% cloud cover and a wind speed of 15mph.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app.
This will be the second flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched KF-02. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
SpaceX’s launch of Amazon’s KF-03 mission now set for Saturday with improved weather
SpaceX is targeting Saturday, October 11 for a Falcon 9 launch of the KF-03 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 8:41 p.m. ET with additional opportunities available until 11:15 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup launch opportunity is available on Sunday, October 12 starting at 8:19 p.m. ET.
According to weather officials, there’s a 85% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. Officials are monitoring weather conditions with concerns related to Liftoff Winds, Anvil Cloud Rules. The forecast calls for a temperature of 76°F, overcast clouds, 86% cloud cover and a wind speed of 20mph.
With this batch, Amazon’s satellite total will climb to 153 of a planned 3,236 total needed to be in orbit by July 2029. Half are supposed to be launched by July 2026, according to a license issued by the Federal Communications Commission.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app.
This will be the second flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched KF-02. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Amazon’s KF-03 mission possible delay with prohibitive weather conditions on Thursday for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch
SpaceX is targeting Thursday, October 9 for a Falcon 9 launch of the KF-03 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 9:34 p.m. ET with additional opportunities available until 11:48 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup launch opportunity is available on Friday, October 10 starting at 9:12 p.m. ET.
According to weather officials, there’s a 45% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. Officials are monitoring weather conditions with concerns related to Cumulus Cloud Rule, Lightning Rule, Surface Electric Field Rule. The forecast calls for a temperature of 78°F, moderate rain, 62% cloud cover, a wind speed of 22mph and 1.23in of rain.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app.
This will be the second flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched KF-02. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Launch of Amazon’s KF-03 mission by SpaceX on Thursday may encounter weather issues
SpaceX is targeting Thursday, October 9 for a Falcon 9 launch of the KF-03 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 9:34 p.m. ET with additional opportunities available until 11:48 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup launch opportunity is available on Friday, October 10 starting at 9:12 p.m. ET.
According to weather officials, there’s a 55% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. Officials are monitoring weather conditions with concerns related to Cumulus Cloud Rule, Lightning Rule, Surface Electric Field Rule.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app.
This will be the second flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched KF-02. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
SpaceX now plans Thursday launch of Amazon’s Project KF-03 mission for smallsat constellation
SpaceX is targeting Thursday, October 9 for a Falcon 9 launch of the Amazon Project KF-03 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 9:34 p.m. ET with additional opportunities available until 11:48 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup launch opportunity is available on Friday, October 10 starting at 9:12 p.m. ET.
Project Kuiper (KF-03) refers to the third Project Kuiper launch of a batch of Amazon-backed satellites for its Project Kuiper LEO internet constellation. This mission continues the deployment of Amazon’s constellation, which aims to provide broadband internet access to underserved areas and relies on a combination of SpaceX, ULA, Arianespace, and Blue Origin rockets for deployment.
Project Kuiper is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon. This constellation is planned to be composed of 3,236 satellites. The satellites are projected to be placed in 98 orbital planes in three orbital layers, one at 590 km, 610 km, and 630 km altitude.v
A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app.
This will be the second flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched KF-02. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
SpaceX to launch Amazon’s Project Kuiper-3 from the Cape on Monday
On Monday, October 6th, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 will launch Amazon’s Project Kuiper-03 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 7:29 PM – 10:46 PM PDT. Project Kuiper (KF-03) refers to the third Project Kuiper launch of a batch of Amazon-backed satellites for its Project Kuiper LEO internet constellation. This mission continues the deployment of Amazon’s constellation, which aims to provide broadband internet access to underserved areas and relies on a combination of SpaceX, ULA, Arianespace, and Blue Origin rockets for deployment
Project Kuiper is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon. This constellation is planned to be composed of 3,236 satellites. The satellites are projected to be placed in 98 orbital planes in three orbital layers, one at 590 km, 610 km, and 630 km altitude.
