European rocket blasts off with Amazon internet satellites

The rocket blasted off into overcast skies from Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, marking the second Ariane 6 mission using four boosters, its most powerful configuration.

The Ariane 6 launch were carrying 32 satellites for Amazon Leo which is the internet constellation of the giant US company founded by US billionaire Jeff Bezos.Amazon Leo plans to initially deploy 3,200 satellites into space that will form a network to provide internet back on Earth.

However, after delays there were currently just 239 in orbit, including some launched by the rival SpaceX company. Amazon Leo had become crucial for keeping Europe's relatively new Ariane 6 rocket competitive, because many European commercial customers had opted to rely on SpaceX for launches.