Ariane 6 Rocket's Most Powerful Version Launches, Deploying 32 Amazon Satellites
The Ariane 6 rocket, operated by Arianespace, successfully launched its most powerful version, the Ariane 64, for the first time on February 12, 2026. The launch took place from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at 11:45 a.m. EST. This mission carried 32 satellites for the Amazon Leo broadband constellation, marking a significant milestone for the Ariane 6 program. The Ariane 64, equipped with four strap-on solid rocket boosters, is capable of carrying over 20 metric tons of payload to low Earth orbit, doubling the capacity of its predecessor, the Ariane 62. This launch was also notable for being the first Ariane 6 mission for a commercial customer, featuring a jumbo 65-foot-long payload fairing. The Amazon Leo project, formerly known as Project Kuiper, aims to deploy over 3,200 satellites to provide global broadband coverage.