Amazon has taken a significant step in developing its satellite initiative, Project Kuiper, by launching the first full batch of internet satellites into orbit.
The launch was carried out using an Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance and marks a continuation of the 2023 mission, which sent two prototype satellites into space.
On Monday, the rocket deployed 27 satellites into space, which will later reach their operational orbit at an altitude of approximately 630 kilometers. The project is named after the Kuiper Belt, a distant region of the solar system beyond Neptune’s orbit.
The new satellites feature notable upgrades compared to the earlier test models. Most notably, they are equipped with a reflective coating designed to reduce sunlight reflection, aiming to minimize interference with astronomical observations. This improvement addresses long-standing concerns from astronomers about the growing number of low-Earth orbit satellites and the increasing risk of space debris.
Amazon plans to deploy over 3,200 satellites in total, with the goal of delivering fast and affordable internet access across the globe. To support this ambitious plan, the company has already secured dozens of launch contracts with both ULA and Blue Origin — another space company owned by Jeff Bezos.
Meanwhile, Amazon’s main competitor is Starlink, the satellite internet project by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Since 2019, Starlink has launched over 8,000 satellites, with around 7,000 currently in operation. Just last week, SpaceX completed its 250th Starlink mission.
