Amazon launches Project Kuiper, Elon Musk’s Starlink rival: All the details

Amazon

Amazon has successfully launched the first 27 satellites of its Project Kuiper initiative, marking the beginning of a large-scale plan to provide global broadband internet coverage. The launch took place from Florida on April 28, 2025, aboard an Atlas V rocket operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. This deployment sets Amazon on a direct collision course with SpaceX’s Starlink, which has already established a significant presence in the satellite internet market.

Project overview
Project Kuiper is Amazon’s $10 billion venture aimed at building a constellation of 3,236 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The company intends to use this network to deliver internet services to underserved and remote areas, targeting the same customer segments that SpaceX has been serving since 2019. With this launch, Amazon has moved beyond its prototype stage, having tested two earlier satellites in 2023 and de-orbited them in 2024.

Although Amazon initially aimed to launch these satellites in early 2024, delays pushed the timeline back by more than a year. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set a mid-2026 deadline for Amazon to deploy at least half of its Kuiper network—1,618 satellites. Analysts suggest the company may seek an extension due to the delayed start. Amazon is expected to confirm communication with the satellites shortly after launch and plans to begin offering services by the end of 2025. ULA may carry out up to five additional Kuiper launches this year.

Competition with Starlink
SpaceX has already launched over 8,000 Starlink satellites and has more than 5 million users in 125 countries. The company maintains a rapid launch cadence with its reusable Falcon 9 rockets, often conducting at least one mission per week. Amazon, however, is banking on its strength in consumer technology and cloud services to differentiate Kuiper. The company has developed user terminals priced under $400, including a standard model the size of a vinyl record and a smaller device akin to its Kindle e-reader.

Amazon’s launch agreement includes 83 missions with ULA, Arianespace, and Blue Origin. As more satellites are deployed, Amazon plans to expand coverage from polar regions to the equator. Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos remains optimistic about Kuiper’s success, pointing to strong global demand for reliable internet and noting that both Kuiper and Starlink can thrive in the expanding satellite internet sector.