Amazon launches its first Internet-based satellites

The satellite internet space race has been heating up fast. As the world’s appetite for constant connectivity grows, especially in remote and underserved regions, companies are racing to blanket the Earth with satellites. And for a while now, Elon Musk’s Starlink has been way out in front.

Starlink has already launched over 8,000 satellites, turned them into a working global internet service, and racked up more than 5 million users. It’s set the pace, made the headlines, and essentially created the market. But now, Amazon is finally stepping in with a serious move of its own.

Late Monday night, Amazon launched its first 27 satellites into low Earth orbit aboard an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral. It was the company’s first official deployment under Project Kuiper—its ambitious plan to build a massive space-based internet network of more than 3,200 satellites.

This first batch might seem small compared to Starlink’s thousands, but it’s a major milestone for Amazon, which has taken its time getting to the launchpad after its first prototype in 2023.

Amazon launches internet satellites to rival Starlink

Satellite internet networks are experiencing a surge in popularity, delivering faster connectivity to urban and rural communities alike, effectively narrowing the digital divide. Now, tech giant Amazon has made its foray into the broadband satellite internet space with the launch of its first prototype Kuiper satellites, to serve tens of

TechloyEmmanuel Oyedeji

The company has already locked in more than 80 launches and is aiming to deploy at least half of its constellation—1,613 satellites—by mid-2026 to meet FCC requirements. Service is expected to start once 578 are in orbit, which could happen later this year.

And yes, it’s a direct shot at Starlink, although Amazon has emphasised that there’s enough room in the market for multiple players, with a focus on places traditional internet doesn’t reach. Still, with so many satellites to launch, ground stations to build, and production challenges to solve, it’s going to be a steep climb.

But Starlink isn’t Amazon’s only competition. Other competitors aren’t standing still either. Europe is making its own play with IRIS², a €10.6 billion satellite network backed by the EU and the European Space Agency.

There’s also Eutelsat OneWeb, which merged with legacy satellite operator Eutelsat and now has over 600 satellites in orbit—enough for near-global coverage.

China, too, is scaling up. A project called SpaceSail—also known as Qianfan—launched its first satellites last year and already has 72 in orbit. By the end of this year, it plans to reach 1,296. By 2030? Fifteen thousand.

So while Amazon’s 27 satellites may seem like a small step, they represent the company’s long-awaited leap into one of tech’s most crowded and high-stakes arenas. Project Kuiper is finally off the ground—and now the race gets even more interesting.

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TechloyEmmanuel Oyedeji