Amazon Takes On Musk's Starlink, Enters Satellite Internet Race With First Operational Kuiper Launch
Amazon has officially entered the high-stakes satellite internet market, firing off its first batch of operational Project Kuiper satellites into low Earth orbit on Monday. The launch, a significant milestone for the tech company, signals its serious intent to compete with Elon Musk's SpaceX's already sprawling Starlink network.
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifted off from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, carrying 27 Kuiper satellites that will orbit at around 400 miles (630 kilometres) above the Earth. This marks Amazon’s first major step beyond testing, after launching just two prototype satellites in 2023.
A Bold Leap Into Satellite Broadband
Project Kuiper, spearheaded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, envisions a constellation of over 3,200 satellites aimed at delivering high-speed, low-latency internet to underserved and remote areas across the globe. The goal: to make broadband both accessible and affordable, narrowing the digital divide.
To make this ambitious project a reality, Amazon has secured multiple launch agreements, including with United Launch Alliance, Bezos-owned Blue Origin, and other providers. With this launch, Amazon is laying down its first serious marker in a market that is already crowded and fiercely competitive.
Challenging the Starlink Supremacy
Since 2019, Elon Musk’s SpaceX has launched more than 8,000 Starlink satellites, of which over 7,000 remain operational at about 550 kilometres above the Earth. In comparison, Amazon’s Kuiper network is just getting off the ground — literally. Meanwhile, OneWeb, a European rival, has taken a different route, placing its satellite fleet into higher altitudes.
Despite its late start, Amazon’s scale and resources give it a unique edge. With thousands more Kuiper satellites planned, the company is positioning itself to become a serious global player in satellite internet services.
Facing Technical and Ethical Headwinds
The satellite boom hasn’t been without controversy. Astronomers have long raised red flags over how the influx of low-orbit satellites disrupts space-based observations. Additionally, as Earth’s orbit becomes more crowded, concerns over potential collisions and space debris have intensified.
Still, Amazon appears undeterred. Rajeev Badyal, vice president of Project Kuiper, emphasised that real-world deployments are essential to the project’s evolution.
“There are some things you can only learn in flight,” he said in a statement. “No matter how the mission unfolds, this is just the start of our journey.”
The launch had initially faced delays due to bad weather, but eventually proceeded successfully during a newly secured launch window. With this milestone crossed, Amazon is now set on scaling its satellite network, with many more liftoffs to come in the years ahead.
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