Photo: Charles Boyer
ULA is planning to launch another batch of 29 satellites for Amazon’s nascent Leo constellation early Tuesday morning aboard one of its remaining Atlas V rockets. Liftoff is currently scheduled for sometime between 3:28 and 3:57 AM EST.
At A Glance
Launch Preview — At a Glance
| Mission | Atlas V 551 | Amazon Leo (Project Kuiper) |
|---|---|
| Status |
Go for Launch Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources. |
| Rocket | Atlas V 551 |
| Organization | United Launch Alliance |
| Location | Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA |
| Pad | Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) |
| Window |
Opens: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 — 3:28 AM ET Closes: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 — 3:57 AM ET (29-minute window)
|
| Countdown |
Loading countdown…
Target: 3:28 AM ET (Window Open)
|
| Destination | Low Earth Orbit |
| Official Stream | ULA Mission Coverage / Webcast |
| Mission Notes | Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) is a planned broadband mega-constellation in Low Earth Orbit, managed by Kuiper Systems LLC (a subsidiary of Amazon). Planned: 3,276 satellites in 98 orbital planes across three orbital layers at ~590 km, 610 km, and 630 km altitude. |
Tip: Times are shown in Eastern Time (America/New_York). Launch schedules can change quickly due to weather and range operations.
If your platform strips scripts, the countdown may not display.
Photo: Charles Boyer
Weather
The 45th Weather Squadron of Space Launch Delta 45 has released their L-2 forecast, and at this time, it’s not very positive: an 80% chance of NO-GO weather.
Trajectory
Northeastward. Estimated Launch Azimuth: ~44-45°, targeting a 51.9 degree inclination orbit.
Facing eastwards, the launch will be right-to-left.
Launch Viewing: In Person
If you are planning to be up to watch this launch, here’s a list of good places to go see it.
Best Public Viewing Spots for ULA Launches from SLC-41 (Cape Canaveral) — Pre-Dawn Hours
| Area | Spot | Distance to SLC-41 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Canaveral | SR-528 Bennett Causeway pull-offs | ~10–11 mi | Open causeway views; liftoff generally unobstructed. 24/7 public road access. Arrive early; bring chairs. |
| Port Canaveral | SR-401 / Port waterfront | ~10–12 mi | ⚠️ Views toward pads, but liftoff can be obstructed by port structures or cruise ships. 24/7 road access. |
| Port Canaveral | Jetty Park (pier & beach) | ~11–12 mi | 💵 ⚠️ Park fee; 24-hr access for campers. Day visitors check gate hours. Liftoff may be blocked by cruise ships. Jetty Park info. |
| Titusville / US-1 | Max Brewer Bridge & Parrish Park | ~11–13 mi | Elevated bridge vantage; liftoff generally unobstructed. 24/7 public access. Fills quickly even pre-dawn. |
| Titusville / US-1 | Space View Park | ~12–14 mi | Riverfront views; liftoff generally unobstructed. Typically accessible for launches; verify with city. |
| Titusville / US-1 | Rotary Riverfront Park | ~12–14 mi | Open river views; liftoff generally unobstructed. Moderate parking; typically accessible for launches. |
| Titusville / US-1 | Kennedy Point Park | ~12–14 mi | Long riverfront; liftoff generally unobstructed; good tripod space. Typically accessible for launches. |
| Cape Canaveral (city) | Cherie Down Park | ~12–13 mi | ⚠️ Beach access 24/7; parking lot may close at night. Dune/vegetation can block first seconds—go to shoreline. |
| Cocoa Beach | Cocoa Beach Pier area | ~15–17 mi | 💵 Park officially closed pre-dawn; beach remains accessible. Pier facilities closed. Street parking; horizon view unobstructed. |
| Cocoa Beach | Alan Shepard Park | ~16–18 mi | 💵 Park officially closed pre-dawn; beach remains accessible. Liftoff generally unobstructed from shoreline. |
| Cocoa Beach | Lori Wilson Park | ~17–18 mi | Park officially closed pre-dawn; beach remains accessible. Large beachfront with unobstructed views. |
⚠️ Potential obstruction
💵 Fee or paid parking
Note: Distances are approximate straight-line measures from SLC-41. This list is filtered for locations accessible during pre-dawn hours (~3:30 AM). Florida beaches are generally accessible 24/7, but parking lot gates may close at night—arrive early or use street parking. Access, fees, and closures change by mission—verify on launch day.
Launch Viewing: Streaming
Live Streaming Options for ULA Atlas V LA-04 Launch
| Source | Coverage Starts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ULA Official | L-20 minutes | Official ULA webcast with mission commentary and clean pad views. |
| Spaceflight Now | ~L-60 to L-30 min | Independent coverage with expert commentary. Often includes pre-launch discussion and post-launch analysis. |
| NASASpaceflight | ~L-60 to L-30 min | In-depth technical commentary. Multiple camera angles when available. Active live chat community. |
Note: Coverage start times are approximate and may vary. Check each channel for the official stream link closer to launch. All times are estimates based on typical coverage patterns.
Photo: Charles Boyer
Author: Charles Boyer
NASA kid from Cocoa Beach, FL, born of Project Apollo parents and family. I’m a writer and photographer sharing the story of spaceflight from the Eastern Range here in Florida.
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