Amazon’s Starlink Competitor Project Kuiper Blasts Off – At Last!

We have been tracking Project Kuiper since 2019, when Amazon first revealed its plans to build a global broadband satellite internet constellation designed to rival SpaceX's Starlink.

Amazon is claiming that it is setting out "to build the most advanced and the most modern communications system in the world" and "the most advanced satellite network ever built" - with a total of 3,232 laser interconnected satellites to be deployed over more than 80 launches in the years ahead.

But does Amazon have what it takes to build a true Starlink alternative?

And when will Kuiper service come to market?

Now that the first 27 satellites have launched - we have a few more details to share...

Amazon Project Kuiper Video Story

 

Project Kuiper Terminal Update

Amazon hasn't had much to share about Project Kuiper since the first two experimental satellites were launched in October 2023.

But behind the scenes - Amazon has been building factories and signing launch contracts to start full scale Kuiper deployment, and in a teaser video to go along with this first production launch Amazon shared that Kuiper customer terminal designs are now finalized, and production is underway and ramping up to build "tens of millions" of these terminals.

Clearly Amazon is getting ready for a large consumer launch.

Amazon in 2023 previewed three terminal sizes:

• Small - An ultra-compact and "lower cost" design measuring 7" square and weighing just 1 pound. This design is capable of 100 Mbps.
• Medium - The standard Kuiper terminal is 11" square, 1" thick, and weighs 5 pounds. Amazon claims to be able to produce this terminal for "less than $400" and that this terminal will be capable of 400 Mbps speeds.
• Large - The professional / enterprise Kuiper receiver is 19" x 30", and is capable of up to 1 Gbps performance.

It is unclear how these teased details might have changed now that the design is finalized and in production - but hopefully we will know more soon.

Kuiper Constellation Update

But before Amazon can begin deploying Kuiper terminals to customers - it needs to get enough satellites in orbit to be able to offer some level of minimal service.

According to FCC filings - Amazon will be able to offer coverage across "most of North America" with 578 satellites deployed, out of the planned total of 3,232 satellites in the first generation Kuiper constellation.

Amazon's update video claims that they have now built production and integration infrastructure capable of preparing five Kuiper satellites per day for launch - and Amazon has signed launch contracts with ULA, Arianespace, Blue Origin, and even SpaceX to get Kuiper satellites rides to space. 

The clock is ticking - if Amazon does not have at least half of its licensed satellites deployed by July 2026 it will be in violation of the terms of its FCC license.

Kuiper has slipped so much that it may need to petition the FCC for a waiver if it stumbles any further with this launch campaign.

Concluding Thoughts

This first launch is only the beginning.

The real test will be seeing how quickly Amazon is able to get a second, third, and fourth Kuiper launch off the ground.

If Kuiper satellites start launching at a steady pace - Amazon will feel comfortable sharing more about Kuiper pricing, availability, performance, and other details.

Amazon is still claiming that it hopes to have some sort of Kuiper service available to customers by the end of 2025 - a likely unrealistic goal unless everything goes absolutely perfectly from here on out. 

But whether Kuiper comes online for customers in late 2025 or mid-2026 - the pieces are at last all starting to come together.

Will Kuiper have what it takes to take on SpaceX's Starlink?

Stay tuned for our upcoming deep dive into the state of mobile satellite internet - with our big picture analysis of Starlink, Kuiper, and all the other players.

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