Amazon Successfully Deploys First Operational Kuiper Satellites

Amazon’s Project Kuiper is off the ground, literally. On April 28, an Atlas V rocket carried 27 initial Kuiper satellites to low-Earth orbit, marking the internet venture’s first batch of fully operational spacecraft. Andy Jassy, Amazon’s CEO, confirmed that all satellites are functioning in orbit and that beta tests will begin once more satellites join the constellation. This milestone positions Kuiper to rival SpaceX’s Starlink, offering broadband connectivity to remote areas. Amazon has hundreds more launches booked, aiming to deploy a few thousand satellites by 2026—meeting regulatory milestones. The secrecy around the April launch fueled curiosity, as Amazon ended live coverage early, providing minimal details until after deployment. Analysts predict fierce competition: Starlink already serves millions globally, but Amazon’s late entry might still claim market share due to brand reach and e-commerce synergy.