Amazon has launched its first group of internet satellites into space, marking the beginning of its efforts to build a rival to Elon Musk’s “Starlink” network.
An Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance carried 27 satellites into orbit from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The satellites are part of Amazon’s “Project Kuiper,” which aims to deploy a constellation of about 3,200 satellites over the coming years to provide global internet coverage.
The launch followed a delay earlier this month due to bad weather.
Amazon, founded by Jeff Bezos, has secured dozens of future rocket launches with providers like SpaceX and Blue Origin to meet regulatory requirements.
According to its operating license, the company must deploy at least 1,600 “Kuiper” satellites by mid-2026.
SpaceX’s “Starlink” network already operates with around 7,000 satellites and dominates the satellite internet market.
However, analysts believe there is room for competition, with airlines, telecom providers, and consumers seeking alternatives—especially in remote and underserved regions where building traditional infrastructure is costly or impractical.
