Amazon's Kuiper internet service launched its first two satellites on Friday, beginning its deployment of a constellation of over 3,200 satellites that will provide broadband internet access from orbit.
The satellites launched on Friday were prototypes for Amazon's $10 billion Project Kuiper, a plan to create a constellation of more than 3,200 satellites within the next six years to provide global broadband internet services.
Amazon's KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2 satellites launched on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and were deployed into a 311-mile (500 km) orbit, according to an Amazon statement.
The launch was delayed from late 2022 due to changes to the rocket delivery system. Following the successful launch of the prototype satellites, Amazon will use them to test all elements of the Kuiper System before rolling out the full network.
Following the successful launch of the prototype satellites, Amazon will use them to test all elements of the Kuiper System before rolling out the full network. Project Kuiper will compete directly with Elon Musk's Starlink, the most established low-orbit satellite internet service available.
SpaceX has launched more than 4,000 Starlink satellites into orbit since May 2019 and announced last month that it has over 2 million customers.
Amazon is facing competition in the satellite internet race from Canadian satellite operator Telesat and OneWeb, a joint venture between French satellite company Eutelsat and the British government.