First Ariane 64 version places 32 Amazon Leo satellites into 465-km orbit, all are healthy; next Ariane 6 launch also for Amazon

by Peter B. de Selding

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.— Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket on Feb. 12 placed 32 Amazon Leo broadband satellites into low Earth orbit in the first launch of its heavier four-booster Ariane 64 version and the first use of its 20-meter-long fairing.

Operating from Europe’s Guiana Space Center spaceport in French Guiana, on South America’s northeast coast, launch-service provider Arianespace debuted its crucial ramp-up year — it plans 7-8 launches in 2026 compared to four in 2025 — with what looked like a . . .

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