The United Launch Alliance (ULA) is preparing for the first launch of its Vulcan rocket in nine months, following an anomaly that grounded it in February. The mission, scheduled for Friday, November 13, 2026, will deploy 40 satellites for Amazon's broadband internet network, marking the first time Vulcan will carry this payload. This launch will also feature the maximum six solid rocket boosters, making it highly visible along the East Coast.
Vulcan, standing at 215 feet tall, is designed to replace ULA's Atlas V and retired Delta IV rockets. Its 35-foot Centaur V upper stage allows for complex missions to extreme orbital heights. The rocket will lift off from Launch Complex-41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, with a launch window opening at 12:54 p.m. ET.
The launch is critical for both ULA and Amazon. ULA aims to make Vulcan its main workhorse for future missions, while Amazon relies on the rocket for its satellite service, competing with SpaceX's Starlink. The mission follows Amazon's deployment of nearly 400 satellites since April 2024, part of a planned 3,200-satellite constellation.
Spectators along the East Coast may witness the launch due to the rocket's powerful thrust of 3.9 million pounds. ULA has provided a visibility map to help viewers track the rocket's trajectory. The launch will be livestreamed on YouTube, with coverage beginning 20 minutes before liftoff.