Amazon Launches 27 Satellites to Kick Off Project Kuiper Internet Constellation

First Deployment from Cape Canaveral Marks the Beginning of Amazon’s Plan to Rival Starlink With Over 3,200 Satellites

Cape Canaveral, April 28, 2025 — Amazon has officially begun the deployment of its Project Kuiper satellite internet constellation, with 27 broadband satellites launched aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket. The mission lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 7:01 PM EDT (4:31 AM IST), and marks the first of over 80 planned launches to build a global satellite internet network to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink.

This launch represents a major milestone for Amazon’s long-term ambitions to provide end-to-end internet connectivity, from space to consumers’ terminals, enabling fast, reliable broadband access even in remote regions.

Amazon Aims to Compete With Starlink’s Dominance

The 27 newly launched satellites will initially operate at an altitude of 280 miles (450 km) before maneuvering to their designated operational orbit at 392 miles (630 km). While Amazon is starting with a modest deployment, the full Kuiper constellation is expected to include over 3,200 satellites, according to Amazon and regulatory filings.

This pales in comparison to SpaceX’s Starlink, which already has over 7,200 satellites in orbit. However, Amazon’s technological advancements and launch capacity may help close the gap more rapidly than expected.

Advanced Satellite Architecture: Kuiper’s Competitive Edge

Amazon’s Kuiper satellites incorporate a range of cutting-edge technologies designed to deliver high-performance, low-latency broadband:

• Phased array antennas for flexible signal routing

• Optical inter-satellite links to enhance mesh networking

• Solar arrays for efficient power generation

• Software-upgradable systems for adaptive performance

• Low-thrust propulsion systems for orbit maintenance and deorbiting

This hardware is intended to support Amazon’s fully managed network architecture, which routes data from the internet through ground stations to satellites, and then back to users via customer terminal antennas — creating a true space-based broadband infrastructure.

What’s Next: 80+ Launches Using Atlas V and Vulcan Centaur

The successful deployment marks the beginning of a massive rollout effort. Amazon plans over 80 future missions using a combination of ULA’s Atlas V and next-generation Vulcan Centaur rockets. These launches are scheduled to ramp up in the coming months, with Amazon targeting initial service availability later in 2025.