Amazon Launches First Kuiper Internet Satellites Into Orbit

In the latest turn of events, Amazon’s Kuiper was launched into space from Florida to compete with Elon Musk’s broadband internet constellation services, Starlink. According to Reuters, 27 satellites were launched into space, which are a part of the first 3,236 satellites that Amazon intends to launch into low-Earth orbit as part of Project Kuiper — a $10 billion initiative announced in 2019 to deliver global broadband internet to consumers, businesses, and governments.

The news agency further stated that the joint venture of Lockheed Martin and the Atlas V rocket from Boeing launched the satellite at 7 p.m. EDT PM from the rocket company’s launch pad at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

About the Kuiper Project

Kuiper is arguably Amazon’s most ambitious project currently underway, putting it in direct competition with Starlink and major global telecom providers like AT&T and T-Mobile. Amazon is marketing the service as a major benefit for rural areas where internet access is limited or unavailable.

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However, the launch of Kuiper’s first operational satellites has been delayed by over a year — Amazon had initially aimed to deploy the first batch in early 2024. The company is racing against a U.S. Federal Communications Commission deadline requiring it to deploy half of its planned constellation — 1,618 satellites — by mid-2026. Given the slow start, Amazon is likely to request an extension.