Amazon Launches First of Thousands of Satellites to Challenge Starlink

Amazon successfully launched the first of many satellites in its next major step toward bringing its Project Kuiper satellite internet service online and competing with SpaceX’s Starlink. After several delays from launch cancellations and less than favorable weather conditions, the United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Atlas V rocket carried its payload of 27 Project Kuiper satellites to low Earth orbit Monday evening. 

Amazon and the ULA declared the mission a success after confirming that all 27 satellites had been successfully deployed and established contact. It’s the first launch of Amazon satellites since it launched two prototypes in 2023. 

Project Kuiper is specifically designed for internet customers in rural and underserved areas, where there are limited options for high-speed internet. It’s a market that Starlink has dominated in recent years. While it is a fast and intuitive internet solution, it’s still an expensive one, partly because it faces little to no competition in those markets.

“This launch is an incredible milestone in Amazon’s ambitious initiative to provide fast, reliable broadband service to unserved and underserved communities around the world,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs.

While a long-awaited victory for Amazon, it still has a long road ahead to bring its service to a level where it can compete with Starlink internet service, which is comprised of about 7,300 satellites. These are the first 27 Project Kuiper satellites of a planned constellation of 3,200. 

Amazon is also facing a deadline from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which granted the company approval on the condition that it launch at least half of its constellation by July 2026 and the rest by 2029. It could ask for an extension; otherwise, it risks losing authorization to operate its network.

Amazon says it has purchased 80 launches from multiple space companies, including SpaceX, the ULA, France’s Arianespace, and the Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin. The next launch is not yet scheduled, but ULA stated that it remains committed to being a long-time partner and will deliver a majority of the satellites on its Atlas V and newer Vulcan rockets. 

Project Kuiper works similarly to Starlink, with customers able to access the internet using a small dish. When can you expect to get Project Kuiper? Amazon still has no set date or timeline for when the service will be ready. The company has been in full swing, manufacturing its satellites and the terminals customers will use to connect to the internet. It also hasn’t given a price point for its service and equipment, but has stated that it will be competitively priced.