Amazon’s satellite internet service, Project Kuiper, reached a major milestone this Monday, with the successful launch of its first full batch of operational satellites.
As reported by Tesla North, the KA-01 mission lifted off aboard a ULA Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, deploying 27 satellites into low Earth orbit.
Amazon confirmed that it made contact with all 27 satellites and that early deployment procedures are progressing as planned. This marks a key step in Amazon’s effort to build a global broadband network that one day could compete with SpaceX’s Starlink which already has thousands of satellites in operation and service around the globe.
Amazon is now entering the arena with plans for a constellation of over 3,200 satellites. The goal: deliver fast, low-latency internet to underserved and remote areas around the planet.
The KA-01 satellites are improved over earlier prototypes, as they have advanced phased-array antennas, custom-built processors, optical inter-satellite links, and a special anti-reflective coating to reduce their visibility in the night sky (Starlinks are hated by astronomers).
The Kuiper satellites are using electric propulsion systems to raise their orbits from 450 km to 630 km, where they will undergo testing for full end-to-end connectivity, similar to how Starlink works.
Amazon has secured over 80 future launches through partners including ULA, Blue Origin, Arianespace, and even SpaceX, as it pushes forward with network deployment. The company also revealed that the next launch, KA-02, is already in the works. The only barrier to Amazon’s constellation is securing launches to send its satellites up into space.
Service is expected to begin later in 2025, signaling Amazon’s official entry into the satellite internet market currently dominated by SpaceX. Competition is a good thing for consumers. In Canada, the feds and Quebec have loaned $2.5 billion to Ottawa-based Telesat for its satellite internet, but it isn’t even close to space or going online yet. It’s clear big tech like Amazon and SpaceX can get things done at a much faster rate than anyone else.
Check out Amazon’s journey to launch video below:
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
Great, more debris orbiting the planet.
Clean the planet before wrecking space