New Yorkers should keep their eyes to the sky Wednesday night as they may be able to catch a glimpse of a Florida-based rocket launch from their own backyards.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper is sending its first full batch of satellites to space Wednesday through a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket, according to an Amazon news release. The 27 satellites will launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and be deployed 280 miles above Earth.
“We’ve designed some of the most advanced communications satellites ever built, and every launch is an opportunity to add more capacity and coverage to our network,” Rajeev Badyal, vice president of Project Kuiper, said. “No matter how the mission unfolds, this is just the start of our journey, and we have all the pieces in place to learn and adapt as we prepare to launch again and again over the coming years.”
Here’s what to know about Wednesday’s rocket launch.
What time is Amazon’s Project Kuiper rocket launch from Florida?
Liftoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 9, from Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, according to ULA’s mission website, with a launch window of two hours.
How to watch the Atlas V rocket launch on livestream
Updates on the launch and a livestream of the launch will be available through ULA’s mission website at ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/atlas-v-kuiper-1.
The livestream will begin around 20 minutes before liftoff, according to Amazon’s news release.
What will Wednesday night’s weather be like in NY?
Although the skies are predicted to be quite clear and sunny throughout the day Wednesday, clouds are expected to roll in for the evening hours, making for possibly a difficult night to see the launch in both the Rochester and White Plains areas, according to forecasts by the National Weather Service.
Which NY cities could see the Atlas V rocket launch from Florida?
The guidelines are estimates based on a graphic provided by ULA, the USA TODAY Network in Florida reported.
Around 330 seconds after the rocket’s launch, those living in and around Binghamton and Albany might be able to see the rocket and around 390 seconds after launch, the rest of New York could possibly catch a glimpse.
Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at [email protected].
