Amazon launches first satellites to rival Starlink
Amazon has officially entered the satellite internet arena with the successful launch of its first 27 Project Kuiper satellites into low-Earth orbit. Deployed on April 28th from Cape Canaveral aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket, the event marks the beginning of an ambitious campaign to establish a global broadband network and directly compete with SpaceX’s Starlink.
This initial launch is just one of 80 planned missions intended to place a total of 3,236 Kuiper satellites into orbit. At 280 miles (450 kilometers) above Earth, the newly deployed satellites have already begun communicating with ground stations, signaling a smooth start to what Amazon calls a “high-speed, low-latency” internet service expected to roll out later in 2025.
“While this is the first step in a much longer journey... it represents an incredible amount of invention and hard work,” said Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. ULA CEO Tory Bruno echoed the sentiment, highlighting the collaborative efforts and infrastructure enhancements at Cape Canaveral to support future Kuiper launches.
Launched in 2019 with a $10 billion commitment, Project Kuiper now faces a ticking clock. Under FCC guidelines, Amazon must deploy at least 1,618 satellites—half its planned total—by mid-2026. That’s no small feat, especially when compared to SpaceX’s rapid-fire pace: Starlink has already launched over 7,200 satellites and recently celebrated its 250th dedicated launch, with approval to expand to a staggering 34,400 units.
Despite its late start, Amazon isn't alone in challenging SpaceX’s orbital dominance. European operator Eutelsat and Chinese firm Spacesail are also building their own satellite constellations. Still, Starlink's head start, scale, and established customer base give it a formidable lead. And as more players enter the field, concerns about orbital crowding and long-term sustainability of low-Earth orbit grow louder.
Project Kuiper's debut marks a pivotal moment in the global broadband race — one where innovation, regulatory agility, and speed to orbit will determine who truly connects the world.
