Amazon Leo is increasing its work with Arianespace, ordering six more Ariane 64 launches to deploy its constellation.
Arianespace is a key launch provider for Amazon Leo, which has faced launch delays impacting the ability to start service. Arianespace has completed three Ariane 6 missions for Amazon Leo this year, deploying 100 satellites for the constellation.
Amazon initially signed with Arianespace for 18 launches back in 2022 when it signed with United Launch Alliance for Vulcan Centaur (38 launches) and Blue Origin for New Glenn (12 launches) as well. Currently, both Vulcan Centaur and New Glenn are out of service.
Wednesday’s buy with Arianespace, announced during France’s International Space Summit, takes the total from 18 missions to 24.
“Europe’s launch infrastructure is part of the operational architecture of the Amazon Leo constellation,” Chris Weber, vice president of Amazon Leo business and product, said in a statement. “Expanding from 18 to 24 launches reflects our confidence in Ariane 6 and our continued investment in European launch capability.”
Earlier this year, Steve Metayer, vice president of Amazon Leo Production Operations, said that Arianespace has “stepped up” as a provider for Amazon Leo with reliable manifest dates and reliable missions.
For Arianespace, this type of long-term commitment supports the Ariane 6 ramp-up, Arianespace CEO David Cavaillolès said in a statement.
“Long-term commitments from customers such as Amazon Leo support the ramp-up of Ariane 6 and strengthen our business model. They increase our capacity to serve all our customers while ensuring Europe has the capabilities it needs to deploy its critical space infrastructure,” Cavaillolès said.
Also during the International Space Summit, Arianespace announced MoUs with EnduroSat, Iceye, and AgenaSpace.
Arianespace and EnduroSat look to build out an integrated European value chain including launch services, satellite deployment and in-orbit operations. Separately, Arianespace and Iceye will explore future Iceye launches on Ariane 6, and Arianespace will explore integrating the AgenaSpace orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) into its launches.
