Amazon Launches First Kuiper Satellites to Compete with Starlink

Amazon has launched its first batch of Project Kuiper internet satellites aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, signaling its official entry into the satellite internet market dominated by SpaceX's Starlink. Project Kuiper plans to deploy over 3,200 low-Earth orbit satellites to provide global broadband coverage, focusing on underserved regions and leveraging Amazon's cloud infrastructure. The initiative sets Amazon up as a direct competitor to Starlink, which currently operates thousands of satellites and serves millions of users worldwide. Amazon's $10 billion investment includes securing multiple launch contracts and aims to meet a regulatory deadline to deploy half its constellation by mid-2026. While pricing details for Kuiper services have not been announced, Amazon has indicated it will remain competitive and affordable. The move diversifies Amazon's business and intensifies competition in the rapidly growing satellite internet sector.