Amazon launches first batch of Project Kuiper satellites

Amazon successfully launched the first operational batch of its Project Kuiper internet satellites on Monday, entering the competitive satellite broadband market led by SpaceX’s Starlink, NPR said today.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carried 27 satellites into orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, following an earlier weather-related delay. The satellites will settle at an altitude of about 400 miles (630 kilometers).

Project Kuiper aims to deploy over 3,200 satellites to deliver global high-speed internet. Two test satellites were launched in 2023, but the latest batch includes major upgrades, including a mirror coating to reduce light pollution — a key concern among astronomers.

SpaceX has already launched over 8,000 Starlink satellites since 2019, with more than 7,000 still in orbit. Amazon has secured multiple future launches with ULA, Blue Origin, and others. Project VP Rajeev Badyal emphasized the importance of in-flight experience, calling this launch “just the start” of their broader mission.