Amazon has achieved a significant milestone in its ambitious Kuiper internet project by launching its first pair of prototype satellites into space. These satellites mark the first step in Amazon’s plan to deploy thousands more into orbit, aiming to provide global internet coverage and compete with SpaceX’s Starlink.
The launch took place from Cape Canaveral, Florida, where a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket adorned with the Amazon logo successfully lifted off shortly after 2 p.m. Eastern time (1800 GMT). These two Kuiper test satellites were part of a mission that Amazon initially intended to launch using different rockets.
The primary goal of this mission is to test Amazon’s initial space technology as the e-commerce and web services giant seeks to place 3,236 more satellites into orbit within the next few years. Their ultimate aim is to offer broadband internet services worldwide, directly challenging Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which has nearly 5,000 Starlink satellites currently in orbit.
Leading up to the launch, Amazon remained tight-lipped about the specifics of these two satellites. However, following the launch, Amazon confirmed that both satellites were successfully deployed, and their mission operations center had established contact with them.
Amazon is dedicated to investing $10 billion into its Kuiper project, which was first announced in 2019, the same year SpaceX commenced its Starlink deployment. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has mandated that Amazon deploy half of its planned satellite constellation by 2026.
The market for broadband internet service provided by low-Earth orbiting satellites is expected to be worth tens of billions of dollars in the coming decade. As SpaceX’s Starlink already positions the company as the world’s largest satellite operator, Amazon faces competition not only from SpaceX but also from other companies like Canada’s Telesat and French satellite firm Eutelsat’s OneWeb.
Like SpaceX, Amazon intends to target both individual consumers and enterprise customers with its Kuiper project. It plans to build consumer terminals, following its devices playbook, at an estimated cost of $400 each. However, Amazon has not yet revealed the pricing details. In comparison, SpaceX’s consumer Starlink terminals are priced at $599 each.
To facilitate the launch of the remaining Kuiper network, Amazon secured a bulk launch deal for 83 launches, making it the largest commercial rocket procurement ever. This deal involved various rocket companies, including Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance (ULA), and Europe’s Arianespace.
It’s worth noting that Amazon, along with its founder Jeff Bezos, is currently facing a shareholder lawsuit related to this launch deal. The lawsuit accuses Amazon of failing to conduct proper due diligence and failing to consider potentially more cost-effective rockets from its competitor SpaceX. SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9 rocket has played a central role in the rapid deployment of Starlink satellites.
