Bezos’ Project Kuiper is challenging SpaceX’ Starlink dominance.

Amazon is set to take a significant step in the space-based internet race with the upcoming launch of the first full batch of its Project Kuiper satellite constellation.

Scheduled for launch on 9 April, the mission - named KA-01 (Kuiper Atlas 1) - will see 27 satellites deployed into low Earth orbit (LEO) aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

This marks the beginning of Amazon’s large-scale satellite deployment to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink.

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Project Kuiper aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access worldwide, even in remote locations. The full constellation will consist of over 3,200 satellites positioned at an altitude of 392 miles (630 km) and traveling at 17,000 mph (27,359 km/h), orbiting Earth approximately every 90 minutes.

An Amazon space internet dish advertised by the company.

Credit: Amazon

To achieve its ambitious goal, Amazon has secured over 80 launch missions across multiple providers, including Arianespace, Blue Origin, and SpaceX. The company’s strategy involves launching dozens of satellites per mission to rapidly expand coverage.

Amazon said in a statement that its satellites are engineered with advanced communication technology, including phased array antennas, improved processors, solar arrays, propulsion systems, and optical inter-satellite links.

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Notably, the satellites feature a unique dielectric mirror film to scatter reflected sunlight, reducing their visibility to ground-based astronomers.

Once in orbit, Project Kuiper’s network will facilitate end-to-end data transmission, allowing users to connect via ground terminals. Amazon has designed a range of user terminals, including a compact model offering speeds up to 100 Mbps and larger dishes capable of 1 Gbps for residential and enterprise use. The terminals are expected to cost less than $400 each.

The next Kuiper mission is already in preparation and will further expand the constellation. Amazon expects to begin offering service to customers later this year.

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