An Ariane 6 with upgraded solid rocket boosters launched 36 Amazon Leo satellites June 17 as ESA weighs options for increasing the vehicle’s launch rate.

The morning launch will break the mark for heaviest payload ever lofted by an Ariane rocket.

Arianespace’s Ariane 64 rocket stands at the launch pad at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana ahead of the launch of the Leo Europe 03 mission for Amazon Leo. Image: Arianespace