Amazon launches first Internet satellites to challenge Starlink

Amazon has launched its first batch of Internet satellites into space, marking the beginning of its efforts to build a rival network to Elon Musk's Starlink. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket 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 next few years to provide global Internet coverage. Amazon, founded by Jeff Bezos, is to deploy at least 1,600 Kuiper satellites by mid-2026.

The rocket is intended to launch the satellites at an altitude of 450 kilometres, Amazon said in a blog post. From there, they will use the on-board propulsion systems to ascend to their assigned orbit at an altitude of about 631 kilometres.

The satellites are the first in a planned constellation of 3,236 satellites that Amazon intends to use to sell internet connectivity to consumers, businesses and government customers. This sector is today dominated by Elon Musk's SpaceX and its Starlink division. Amazon, which said it is investing more than $10 billion in the initiative, had previously tested two prototype satellites, launched in late 2023.

"There are things you can only learn in flight," Rajeev Badyal, vice president of technology and head of Amazon Project Kuiper, said before take-off. Regardless of how the mission develops, this is only the beginning of our journey'.
The first take-off attempt earlier this month was cancelled due to bad weather. It took until now to secure another place on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.