The first 27 satellites in Amazon’s initiative to establish a space-based internet network have reached orbit, marking a significant step in the company’s efforts to compete with Elon Musk’s established Starlink service.
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket launched late Monday from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, successfully deploying the satellites into Earth’s orbit. This group is the initial segment of an anticipated total of 3,226 Kuiper satellites planned for the network.
Despite this development, Amazon’s network remains smaller compared to Musk’s. Starlink consists of over 8,000 satellites, deployed through 250 SpaceX launches, and currently serves more than 5 million users.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has expressed that there is “room for lots of winners” in the satellite internet sector, emphasizing the company’s focus on “unserved and underserved communities around the world.”
Amazon aims to launch the first half of the network by mid-2026, in accordance with a deadline set by the Federal Communications Commission. The CEO of the ULA mentioned to Reuters that up to five additional Kuiper launches could take place this year. However, the Kuiper project is reportedly facing production issues, which may impact progress toward completing the satellite constellation.
