Europe's Most Powerful Rocket Delivers Record Payload in First Commercial Mission
Kourou, Thursday, 12 February 2026.
The Ariane 64 rocket successfully launched 32 Amazon Leo satellites on February 12, 2026, marking Europe’s entry into the competitive commercial satellite market. This debut of the four-booster configuration delivered approximately 20 metric tons to orbit—the heaviest payload ever launched by a European rocket.
Technical Breakthrough Powers European Space Ambitions
The launch from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at 1:45 p.m. local time (4:45 p.m. UTC) on February 12, 2026, represented a significant technological milestone for European space capabilities [2]. The Ariane 64 configuration utilized four strap-on boosters instead of the standard two, consuming 142,000 kilograms of solid propellant in just over two minutes to provide the extra thrust necessary for this record-breaking payload [1]. This upgrade allows the rocket to carry approximately 21.6 metric tons into low Earth orbit, more than double the 10.3 tonnes capacity of the two-booster version [7]. The mission lasted 1 hour and 54 minutes from liftoff to separation of all satellites, with the 32 Amazon Leo satellites deployed at approximately 465 kilometers altitude [2].
Amazon’s Strategic Partnership Challenges SpaceX Dominance
Amazon Leo, the company’s low Earth orbit satellite network designed to rival Elon Musk’s Starlink, represents a bold move by the Jeff Bezos-founded company into the global broadband internet market [1]. With 175 satellites already in orbit as of February 2026, Amazon Leo aims to expand its constellation to 3,200 satellites, though it faces substantial competition from Starlink’s nearly 9,400 satellites already deployed [1]. This February 12 launch marked the first of 18 Ariane 6 missions contracted by Amazon for the Amazon Leo constellation, demonstrating the company’s commitment to diversifying its launch providers beyond SpaceX [2][4]. The partnership with Arianespace represents Amazon’s first use of a European launcher for its satellite constellation, highlighting Europe’s growing competitiveness in the commercial space sector [2].
European Manufacturing Excellence Behind the Mission
The Ariane 6 program exemplifies European collaboration, backed by 13 nations all members of the European Space Agency and requiring coordination among approximately 600 subcontractors led by ArianeGroup [1][2]. The rocket’s sophisticated manufacturing process spans multiple countries: the core stage is assembled in Les Mureaux, west of Paris, while the upper stage is built in Bremen, Germany, with roughly 300,000 pieces comprising each complete rocket [1]. The 62-meter-tall Ariane 64 features a 20-meter-high fairing with a 5.4-meter diameter, making it the tallest Ariane 6 configuration to date [1][7]. All components crossed the Atlantic to French Guiana aboard a cargo ship equipped with sails to reduce emissions and fuel consumption, reflecting Europe’s commitment to sustainable space operations [1].
Market Position and Future Competitiveness
This successful mission marks the sixth overall flight for Ariane 6 and its first commercial customer launch, following a test flight in July 2024 and four operational missions in 2025 [4]. The VA267 mission represents the 359th launch by Arianespace and establishes a new record as the heaviest payload ever placed into orbit by a European launcher at approximately 20 metric tons [2]. ArianeGroup CEO Martin Sion emphasized the milestone’s significance, stating that Europe now has two versions of Ariane 6 heavy launcher to meet all operational needs, with plans to accelerate production and integrate major improvements throughout 2026 to increase payload capacity and competitiveness [2]. David Cavaillolès, Arianespace’s CEO, highlighted the achievement as a major milestone for the European space sector, expressing pride in supporting Amazon Leo as a trusted launch partner [2].