Amazon launches first Kuiper satellites to challenge Starlink
Amazon’s ambitious Kuiper broadband internet constellation has commenced its deployment, with its initial batch of satellites successfully launched into space on Monday. This launch marks the first step in Amazon’s plan to deploy all 3,236 Project Kuiper satellites into low-Earth orbit, a significant undertaking aimed at competing with SpaceX’s dominant Starlink satellite internet service.
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A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket, carrying Amazon’s first 27 Kuiper satellites, lifted off from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This followed an initial launch attempt on April 9th that was aborted due to adverse weather conditions.
“While this is the first step in a much longer journey to launch the rest of our low Earth orbit constellation, it represents an incredible amount of invention and hard work,” Amazon CEO Andy Jassy stated on X, expressing his pride in the team’s efforts.
The Kuiper satellites were deployed at an altitude of 450 kilometres (280 miles) above Earth. Amazon has confirmed that the satellites are now successfully activated and communicating with ground control systems. If the deployment proceeds as planned, Amazon anticipates commencing “high-speed, low-latency” satellite internet services for customers “later this year.”
ULA CEO Tory Bruno also commented on the successful launch, highlighting its significance for their partnership and future launch cadence. He noted ongoing modifications to ULA’s Cape Canaveral facilities to accommodate the increased launch frequency required for Project Kuiper missions, ultimately benefiting both commercial and government endeavours in space.
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Announced in 2019 with a $10 billion investment, Project Kuiper faces a deadline from the US Federal Communications Commission to have 1,618 satellites operational by mid-2026 – half of its planned total. This number is considerably smaller than the over 7,200 satellites already in operation by Starlink. SpaceX, which recently celebrated its 50th Starlink mission of 2025 and its 250th dedicated Starlink launch overall, aims for a constellation of 12,000 satellites, with regulatory approval for up to 34,400.
Amazon joins a growing list of companies, including France’s Eutelsat and China’s Spacesail, seeking to establish a viable alternative to Starlink’s well-established network. However, SpaceX currently holds a significant first-mover advantage in an increasingly crowded low-Earth orbit
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