Amazon has taken a big step into the satellite internet sector by successfully sending the first 27 satellites of its Project Kuiper constellation into orbit, marking the start of its challenge to SpaceX’s Starlink, the current leader in low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband services.
On the evening of April 28, a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying this initial batch of Kuiper satellites approximately 450 kilometres above Earth. These satellites will autonomously manoeuvre to their operational altitude near 630 kilometres and begin establishing communication with ground stations and user terminals. This mission follows an earlier deployment of two prototype satellites in October 2023, which served to validate and refine the technology.
Project Kuiper is designed to eventually consist of over 3,200 satellites, with Amazon planning more than 80 launches over the coming years. The company has secured launch contracts not only with ULA but also with Blue Origin, SpaceX, and the European launch provider Arianespace, ensuring a diverse launch portfolio. ULA is contracted for 39 launches, including future missions using its Vulcan Centaur rocket, which incorporates engines developed by Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin.
Amazon’s aim is to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to underserved and remote areas worldwide, where traditional broadband infrastructure is limited or non-existent. Each Kuiper satellite is capable of processing roughly one terabit of data per second, utilising advanced phased array antennas, onboard processors, solar arrays, propulsion systems, and optical inter-satellite links that allow data transfer via infrared lasers between satellites.
Additionally, the satellites feature a specialised dielectric mirror coating that diffuses reflected sunlight, reducing their brightness to minimise interference with astronomical observations—a concern often raised by the scientific community regarding large satellite constellations.
Despite the promising technology and substantial investment—Amazon is expected to spend over $10 billion on Project Kuiper—the company faces considerable challenges. Starlink currently operates more than 8,000 satellites and serves over 5 million customers globally, having launched nearly 250 missions since 2019.
Industry experts remain cautious about Amazon’s ability to catch up given SpaceX’s head start and scale.
Meanwhile, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has imposed a deadline requiring Amazon to launch at least half of its planned satellites by July 2026 to retain its licence. This regulatory timeline adds pressure to accelerate deployment and commence commercial service, which Amazon aims to begin later this year.
The company has established a comprehensive manufacturing infrastructure in Washington State, including a 16,000 square-metre factory in Kirkland capable of producing up to five satellites per day, supported by nearby logistics and testing facilities.