An Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance has taken off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper internet network. This initiative aims to compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink system. The launch occurred on April 9, 2025.
Steve Nesius | Reuters
Amazon successfully launched the inaugural set of Kuiper internet satellites into space on Monday after previous weather-related delays.
A United Launch Alliance rocket lifted off with 27 Kuiper satellites shortly after 7 p.m. Eastern Time, based on the livestream coverage.
“We had a smooth countdown, great weather, and a successful liftoff. Atlas V is heading into orbit to position those 27 Kuiper satellites, marking a significant moment in internet connectivity,” stated Caleb Weiss, a systems engineer at ULA, during the livestream after the launch.
The satellites are scheduled to separate from the rocket at an altitude of around 280 miles above Earth. At that moment, Amazon will assess the satellites’ abilities to maneuver and communicate with their ground team.
Project Kuiper, which Amazon revealed six years ago, aims to establish a network of satellites providing internet service in low Earth orbit. This venture will compete head-to-head with Elon Musk’s Starlink, which currently leads the market with 8,000 satellites in orbit.
The launch of the first Kuiper mission is just the beginning, as Amazon intends to maintain a steady series of launches to fulfill a benchmark set by the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC expects Amazon to have deployed half of its satellite constellation, totaling 1,618 satellites, by July 2026.
To accomplish this, Amazon has secured over 80 launches to send out multiple satellites at once. Apart from ULA, Amazon’s launch partners also include SpaceX (which owns Starlink), European firm Arianespace, and Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos.
Amazon is investing nearly $10 billion into creating the Kuiper network, with plans to kick off commercial services for consumers, businesses, and government later this year.
In a shareholder letter earlier this month, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy noted that even though Kuiper would require initial investment, the company anticipates it will eventually yield substantial operating income and return on invested capital (ROIC).
Investors are keenly awaiting insights regarding additional capital expenditures for Kuiper when Amazon reports its first-quarter earnings this Thursday after market close.
WATCH: Amazon launches prototypes for Project Kuiper
