Amazon Launches First Batch of Kuiper Internet Satellites

• Apr 29, 2025

Amazon has successfully launched its first 27 internet satellites, marking the beginning of its Kuiper project to rival Starlink.

The satellites were sent into orbit aboard an Atlas V rocket provided by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The launch represents a major step in Amazon’s plans to build a satellite internet network that will compete directly with Elon Musk’s Starlink system.

“Atlas V is on its way to orbit to take those 27 Kuiper satellites, put them on their way, and really start this new era in internet connectivity,” said ULA’s Caleb Weiss following the launch.

The mission is part of Amazon’s Project Kuiper, an ambitious plan to create a constellation of thousands of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. These satellites are designed to provide high-speed broadband internet to remote and underserved areas across the world, much like SpaceX’s Starlink network which already has thousands of satellites in operation.

This successful deployment follows earlier test missions and is the first full-scale launch of Kuiper satellites. The 27 satellites will undergo a series of in-orbit checks and tests before being integrated into the broader network. Once operational, they will begin beaming internet signals to Earth, helping Amazon expand internet access in regions where connectivity remains limited or unavailable.

The Kuiper project is seen as a strategic investment for Amazon, which aims to leverage its global logistics and cloud computing strength to support satellite-based internet services. The company has committed billions of dollars to the project and plans to launch more satellites in the coming months.

This launch not only signals Amazon’s entry into the satellite internet market but also intensifies the competition in the growing space-based broadband sector. With governments, rural communities, and industries relying increasingly on stable internet access, Kuiper could play a major role in shaping the future of global connectivity.

As more satellites are launched and tested, Amazon expects to begin offering commercial internet services through Kuiper in the near future.