Amazon’s Project Kuiper set to launch first 27 satellites in Starlink rivalry

Amazon is gearing up for a major milestone in its Project Kuiper initiative, with the first batch of 27 space internet satellites set to launch next week. The tech giant has secured 80 launch missions, each tasked with deploying dozens of satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO), as it moves toward competing with Elon Musk’s Starlink for dominance in the satellite internet industry.

With plans to offer high-speed, low-latency internet from space, Amazon expects to begin providing service later this year. The company’s ambition is clear: to create a global broadband network that will serve users in even the most remote locations.

Launch Details and Partners

The KA-01 mission satellites, short for Kuiper Atlas 1, will be launched aboard an Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance (ULA). The mission is currently scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 9, pending favorable weather conditions and technical readiness at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Project Kuiper

While ULA is handling this particular launch, Amazon has also partnered with Arianespace, Blue Origin, and even SpaceX to deploy its satellite constellation. The fact that Musk’s SpaceX—the creator of Starlink—will assist in launching a competitor’s satellites highlights the growing demand for reliable space launch providers.

A Global Internet Service from Space

Once fully operational, Project Kuiper will be capable of providing internet access worldwide, covering virtually any location on the planet. Users will need special terminal antennas to connect to the service.

Amazon has designed multiple types of terminals, including:

• A small, seven-inch square antenna, weighing just one pound and capable of speeds up to 100 Mbps. This model competes directly with Starlink Mini.

• Larger residential and enterprise dishes, designed to deliver speeds of up to 1 Gbps.

Amazon aims to manufacture these terminals for less than $400 each, but it remains unclear whether they will be subsidized to attract more customers.

The Scale of Project Kuiper vs. Starlink

Amazon’s first-generation satellite network will eventually consist of more than 3,200 LEO satellites, each orbiting 392 miles (630 km) above Earth at speeds of 17,000 mph (27,359 km/h). These satellites will complete an orbit around the planet in about 90 minutes.

By comparison, SpaceX’s Starlink constellation is already far ahead, with over 7,000 active LEO satellites—a number that has grown significantly since the first Starlink launch in 2019.

Minimizing Space Pollution and Light Interference

A major concern surrounding large satellite constellations is their impact on astronomy. Many astronomers have raised complaints about the increased visibility of these satellites, which can interfere with ground-based telescopes.

Amazon has attempted to address this by coating the KA-01 satellites with a special “dielectric mirror film”, which scatters reflected sunlight. The company claims this reduces visibility from Earth, making them less disruptive for astronomers.

A High-Risk Mission with First-Time Deployments

Although Amazon has already launched two Project Kuiper prototype satellites, the upcoming KA-01 mission will introduce several first-time elements, making it a high-risk launch.

Rajeev Badyal, Vice President of Project Kuiper, acknowledged the challenges:

“We’ve done extensive testing on the ground to prepare for this first mission, but there are some things you can only learn in flight. This will be the first time we’ve flown our final satellite design and the first time we’ve deployed so many satellites at once.”

While uncertainties remain, Badyal emphasized that the mission represents just the beginning of Amazon’s journey in the satellite broadband space:

“No matter how the mission unfolds, this is just the start of our journey, and we have all the pieces in place to learn and adapt as we prepare to launch again and again over the coming years.”

The Future of Space Internet: A Battle Between Tech Giants

Amazon’s entry into space-based internet marks a significant challenge to SpaceX’s Starlink, which currently dominates the market. With billions of dollars invested, Project Kuiper could become a game-changer in global connectivity, particularly for underserved regions.

As Amazon ramps up launches, the battle between Jeff Bezos’ Amazon and Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the space broadband industry is just getting started.