Investing.com-- Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) successfully launched its first 27 operational satellites for Project Kuiper on Monday, marking its entry into the satellite internet sector dominated by SpaceX’s Starlink.
The satellites were deployed into low Earth orbit aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Amazon launched two test satellites in 2023. Project Kuiper aims to deploy a constellation of 3,236 satellites to provide global broadband internet coverage.
Amazon plans to commence service later this year, targeting underserved regions and competing with Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Starlink currently operates over 7,000 satellites and serves more than 5 million users across 125 countries.
The launch follows earlier delays, with Amazon now facing a U.S. Federal Communications Commission deadline to deploy half of its satellite network by mid-2026.
The company has invested over $10 billion in the initiative and has secured multiple launch contracts, including with Blue Origin and Arianespace.
Amazon’s entry into the satellite internet market is seen as a strategic move to diversify its business portfolio, leveraging its existing infrastructure and cloud services.