Amazon enters the space race with first Kuiper satellite launch

With 27 satellites now in orbit, Amazon kickstarts its $10 billion Project Kuiper to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink and bring broadband service online by late 2025

Image credit: Microsoft Copilot and Canva

Amazon has launched the first 27 satellites of its $10 billion Project Kuiper broadband constellation into low-Earth orbit, aiming to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink.

Here are a few key points:

• Carried by a United Launch Alliance rocket from Cape Canaveral on April 28, the satellites are now active and communicating with ground systems.

• This marks the beginning of Amazon’s plan to deploy over 3,200 satellites, with service expected to begin later in 2025.

• Despite this milestone, Amazon is far behind Starlink, which already has over 7,200 satellites in orbit and plans for up to 34,400. The Kuiper project must launch at least 1,618 satellites by mid-2026 to meet FCC requirements.

Image credit: ChatGPT

More news!