Amazon Kuiper Satellites Launch to Rival Starlink
Amazon Project Kuiper launches 27 satellites on April 28, 2025, to deliver global broadband, challenging SpaceX Starlink.
Amazon Project Kuiper Takes Flight with First Satellite Launch
On April 28, 2025, Amazon marked a bold step into the satellite internet race. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying 27 satellites for Project Kuiper. This launch kicks off Amazon plan to build a constellation of over 3,200 satellites in low Earth orbit, aiming to provide high-speed broadband to underserved regions worldwide.
Aiming for Global Connectivity
Project Kuiper seeks to bridge the digital divide. With satellites orbiting between 590 and 630 kilometers above Earth, the network promises low-latency internet for homes, businesses, and governments. Amazon has already secured 80 launches with providers like United Launch Alliance, Blue Origin, Arianespace, and even SpaceX, despite the latter being a direct competitor with its Starlink network.
Competing with Starlink
SpaceX Starlink dominates the satellite internet market with over 7,000 satellites and millions of users. Amazon, however, is betting on advanced technology to carve out its share. Kuiper satellites feature upgraded phased-array antennas, optical inter-satellite links, and a unique dielectric mirror film to reduce visibility for astronomers. The company also unveiled affordable customer terminals, with the standard model offering speeds up to 400 Mbps.
Overcoming Challenges
The road to this launch was not smooth. An earlier attempt on April 9 was scrubbed due to poor weather. Amazon also faces a tight deadline from the Federal Communications Commission, requiring half of its 3,236 satellites to be operational by July 2026. To meet this, the company has ramped up production at its Kirkland, Washington facility, capable of building five satellites daily.
Amazon confirmed contact with all 27 satellites post-launch, with activation proceeding smoothly. The next mission, KA-02, is already in preparation, also using an Atlas V rocket. As Kuiper scales up, it plans to begin beta testing with enterprise customers in 2025, with consumer access expected later in the year. This launch is just the start of Amazon ambition to reshape global internet access.
