Amazon has launched its first 27 satellites for Project Kuiper. The launch happened on April 28 using a ULA Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The launch was delayed earlier because of bad weather. These satellites reached a low-Earth orbit at 450 km altitude and started communicating with ground stations, Amazon confirmed.
Internet Service Launch
Amazon plans to start providing satellite internet service later this year. They expect coverage to expand as more satellites are added. The company aims to launch a total of 80 missions to deploy all 3,236 satellites needed for the full network.
To keep its license, Amazon must launch at least 1,618 satellites by mid-2026. This deadline makes it important for the company to stick to a regular launch schedule over the next couple of years.
Starlink’s Dominance
SpaceX, Amazon’s main competitor, already has more than 7,200 Starlink satellites in orbit. This week, SpaceX completed its 50th launch of 2025. They have a big lead in both satellite deployment and market share. SpaceX’s plans include growing their constellation to as many as 34,400 satellites.
Other companies like France’s Eutelsat and China’s Spacesail are also working on satellite internet. Still, Amazon’s move makes it one of the strongest challengers to Starlink’s lead.
With many satellites from different providers, low-Earth orbit is getting crowded. This raises questions about space traffic and long-term management.
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