In a fiery show of force, Amazon has officially stormed the skies, launching its first full batch of satellites for Project Kuiper – a bold, multibillion-dollar mission to revolutionise global internet access and take direct aim at SpaceX’s dominant Starlink empire.

At precisely 7:01pm EDT (11:01pm GMT), a thundering Atlas V rocket roared into the Florida night, carrying 27 Kuiper broadband satellites into low Earth orbit. The mission, executed by United Launch Alliance (ULA), is Amazon’s first step in deploying a vast constellation of 3,236 satellites, with the ultimate goal of blanketing the planet in high-speed internet.

This high-stakes launch marks the beginning of a new era for Amazon, signalling the tech giant’s dramatic entry into the space race—a field long ruled by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. While Starlink boasts more than 7,200 satellites already beaming internet around the globe, Amazon is gearing up to disrupt the status quo with Kuiper, backed by a war chest of $10 billion and the power of its global cloud empire.

Countdown to global connectivity

Project Kuiper is not just a pet project—it’s Amazon’s largest and most daring venture yet. But time is ticking. Under pressure from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, Amazon must launch half of its constellation—1,618 satellites—by mid-2026, or risk losing its licence to operate. After a year-long delay, today’s successful launch is a vital lifeline.

Amazon’s mission control centre in Redmond, Washington is expected to confirm successful contact with the satellites within days. If all systems are green, the company aims to activate Kuiper service later this year, bringing broadband access to rural regions, remote islands, disaster zones, and other underserved communities.

Technology that shines—without the glare

Amazon isn’t just copying SpaceX—it’s raising the bar. The satellites launched today carry cutting-edge improvements, from high-performance phased array antennas to inter-satellite optical links. And in a nod to astronomers worldwide, Amazon has equipped them with special anti-reflective coatings to reduce their visibility from Earth.

Most future launches will be handled by ULA’s Atlas V and Vulcan Centaur, but Amazon is hedging its bets—with additional deals signed with Blue Origin, Arianespace, and even SpaceX itself.

A clash of titans

What was once science fiction is now a battle of billionaires. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk are now officially locked in a cosmic contest to connect the world from space—and reap the financial and strategic rewards that come with it.

This is just the beginning. ULA’s CEO Tory Bruno has hinted that up to five more Kuiper launches could happen this year alone. If Amazon can pull it off, the world could see a true internet revolution from orbit—with Kuiper giving Starlink its first real challenger.

The space war for the skies has begun. And with it, the promise of a truly connected planet may finally be within reach.