Amazon Launches First Satellites to Rival Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet

WASHINGTON: Amazon has launched the first 27 satellites for its Project Kuiper internet constellation. The satellites lifted off on April 28 aboard a ULA Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, following an earlier delay due to bad weather. These satellites reached low-Earth orbit (450 km altitude) and are now active and communicating with ground systems, Amazon confirmed.

Internet Service Launch

Amazon plans to begin offering satellite internet services later this year, with more coverage expected as additional satellites are deployed. The company aims to complete 80 launches to deploy all 3,236 satellites in its constellation.

Under FCC requirements, Amazon must launch at least 1,618 satellites by mid-2026 to retain its license. This timeline puts pressure on the company to maintain a steady launch schedule over the next two years.

Starlink’s Dominance

Amazon’s main competitor, SpaceX, already has over 7,200 Starlink satellites in orbit and completed its 50th launch of 2025 this week. SpaceX currently holds a significant lead in both deployment and market presence, with approvals in place to grow its network to up to 34,400 satellites.

Other competitors, including France’s Eutelsat and China’s Spacesail, are also developing satellite broadband services. However, Amazon’s entry marks one of the strongest challengers yet to Starlink’s dominance.

Read more: Hamas Rockets Target Israel’s Ashkelon Amid Rising Gaza Deaths

With thousands of satellites planned from multiple providers, low-Earth orbit is becoming increasingly crowded, raising long-term concerns over space traffic and management.