ULA's last six Atlas Vs can't launch anything besides Boeing's Starliner
Summary
United Launch Alliance (ULA) recently completed an Atlas V rocket launch for Amazon's Leo broadband satellites. The Atlas V is nearing retirement, with only six rockets left, all reserved to launch Boeing’s Starliner space capsules to the International Space Station under NASA contracts.Key Facts
- ULA’s Atlas V rocket launched 29 Amazon Leo satellites from Cape Canaveral in late April.
- These satellites will use their own engines to reach final orbits about 392 miles above Earth.
- The recent launch was the 110th Atlas V flight since 2002.
- Six Atlas Vs remain, all contracted for Boeing’s Starliner missions to the ISS.
- NASA cut Boeing’s guaranteed Starliner flights from six to four due to program delays.
- Starliner launches require the Atlas V without a protective payload fairing, unlike most other missions.
- ULA cannot easily convert leftover Atlas Vs for other missions because of unique design and parts.
- ULA’s next rocket, the Vulcan, is planned to replace the Atlas V but is currently grounded after booster problems.
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