Amazon is preparing to launch the first 27 operational satellites of its Project Kuiper constellation, a major step in the company’s mission to provide global broadband internet. The launch, scheduled for April 9, 2025, will be carried out by a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This marks the beginning of the commercial deployment phase of Project Kuiper, following successful prototype tests conducted in 2023.
Project Kuiper is Amazon’s ambitious initiative to deploy over 3,000 satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) to create a robust satellite-based internet network. The system is designed to offer high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity to underserved and remote regions across the globe. With this launch, Amazon transitions from proof-of-concept to tangible infrastructure, directly entering the competitive satellite internet space currently dominated by SpaceX’s Starlink.
The 27 satellites will be placed at an altitude of approximately 630 kilometers, forming the initial layer of the broader Kuiper constellation. Amazon has committed to dozens of future launches, securing contracts with providers including ULA, Arianespace, and Blue Origin to ensure continued deployment. These launches will be essential to reaching the company’s goal of a fully operational global network.
Amazon expects to begin offering broadband service to select customers later in 2025. To support its connectivity goals, the company has developed user terminals designed for ease of use and affordability. One such device, a 7-inch square terminal, can deliver download speeds of up to 100 Mbps and is aimed at consumers in hard-to-reach areas where conventional internet infrastructure is lacking.
This upcoming launch underscores Amazon’s long-term investment in space technology and digital accessibility. By deploying its own satellite internet infrastructure, Amazon is taking a significant leap toward closing the digital divide and strengthening its role as a key player in the future of global connectivity.
