A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket lifts off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on October 6, 2023 in Cape Canaveral, FL. The Atlas V rocket is carrying the first two prototype satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper broadband constellation on October 6, 2023. (Photo by Alex G Perez/AGPfoto/Sipa USA)
Amazon has successfully launched two prototype satellites for Kuiper Systems — its upcoming internet network that plans to rival Starlink the low-orbit satellite network run by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
The twin test satellites embarked on their journey atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket over the weekend.
Kuiper Systems, also known as Project Kuiper, was first established in 2019, with Amazon making a US$10 billion investment into it. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted it permission to deploy 3,236 low-orbit satellites across five stages by 2029 — with the first 50% requiring deployment by 2026.
Its internet services will commence once the first 578 satellites are launched.
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