Amazon launched the first 27 satellites for its Kuiper broadband internet project on Monday, marking the start of its long-delayed effort to rival SpaceX’s Starlink and provide global internet coverage from space.
Amazon launched the first 27 satellites for its Kuiper broadband internet constellation on Monday from Florida, marking the start of its long-awaited rollout of a space-based internet network to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink. These satellites are the first of 3,236 planned for low-Earth orbit as part of Project Kuiper, a $10 billion initiative launched in 2019 to provide global broadband internet to consumers, businesses, and governments—targeting the same market that SpaceX’s Starlink has been courting for years.
The satellites were deployed aboard an Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, with the launch occurring at 7 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission had been delayed by bad weather, which scrubbed the original launch attempt on April 9.
Kuiper represents Amazon’s most significant investment to date, challenging both Starlink and global telecom giants like AT&T and T-Mobile. The company has marketed the service as a solution for rural areas with limited or no internet connectivity.
The deployment of these first operational satellites has been delayed by more than a year, with Amazon originally planning to launch the first batch in early 2024. The company faces a deadline set by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deploy half of its constellation, or 1,618 satellites, by mid-2026. Given the slower start, analysts predict Amazon will likely request an extension. Within hours or days after the launch, Amazon is expected to confirm initial contact with all the satellites from its mission operations center in Redmond, Washington. If successful, the company plans to begin offering service later this year.
ULA could launch up to five additional Kuiper missions in 2025, according to ULA CEO Tory Bruno. Amazon has stated that service could begin in certain northern and southern regions with just 578 satellites, with coverage expanding toward the equator as more satellites are launched.
Despite a late start in a market dominated by SpaceX, Amazon’s Project Kuiper leverages the company’s extensive consumer product expertise and its established cloud computing infrastructure, which it believes will give it an advantage over Starlink.
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Sales of electric and hybrid vehicles in China saw a strong year-on-year growth in May, boosted by government-backed trade-in programs designed to stimulate domestic consumption.
Britain will invest £14.2 billion in building the Sizewell C nuclear power plant in Suffolk, marking a major step in its long-term strategy to boost energy security and meet climate goals.
China has extended its investigation into European Union pork imports by six months, citing the case's complexity, the country’s commerce ministry said Tuesday.
The Kremlin announced that Russia plans to increase cooperation with African countries, including in sensitive areas like defence and security. This comes as the state-controlled Africa Corps replaces the Wagner mercenary group, cementing Moscow's growing presence and security role on the continent.
At least five people have been killed in a shooting attack near a secondary school in Graz, Austria, authorities confirmed as an operation continues on the scene.
Sales of electric and hybrid vehicles in China saw a strong year-on-year growth in May, boosted by government-backed trade-in programs designed to stimulate domestic consumption.
In response to Japanese scrutiny of its naval movements, China has stressed that its national defence policy is defensive in nature. Beijing expressed hope that Japan would view its recent two-carrier operations in the Pacific "objectively and rationally."
Britain will invest £14.2 billion in building the Sizewell C nuclear power plant in Suffolk, marking a major step in its long-term strategy to boost energy security and meet climate goals.
Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, has emerged as the pivotal hub connecting Central Asia to global markets, with the Middle Corridor transport route experiencing unprecedented growth in 2024.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 8th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay is in critical condition after being shot three times — including twice in the head — during a campaign event in Bogotá.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned U.S. immigration raids and National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, calling for reforms instead of enforcement.
A 30-year-old woman was shot by police in Munich on Saturday evening after stabbing two people at Theresienwiese, a central park best known for hosting Oktoberfest.
Israel’s military says it has identified the body of top Hamas commander Mohammed Sinwar beneath a hospital in southern Gaza.
Rolls-Royce SMR has been named the preferred bidder to develop the UK's first small modular reactors (SMRs) in partnership with the newly renamed Great British Energy – Nuclear. The project aims to bolster the UK's clean energy supply and energy independence.
Microsoft has officially revealed its long-anticipated handheld gaming console, the ROG Xbox Ally, developed in partnership with Asus. This new device aims to provide access to Xbox Game Pass libraries in a portable format, with its release scheduled for the end of 2025.
An unprecedented autumn Antarctic expedition found abundant plankton in deep ocean layers, challenging seasonal norms. Scientists link this to deep convection in the Ross Sea's polynya, shaping marine life and revealing a crucial "dark ecosystem" previously unknown in colder months.
SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket carrying the SXM-10 satellite for SiriusXM early Saturday, marking another success despite rising political tensions.
Meta and Russian search engine Yandex have been secretly tracking what Android users do on their web browsers—even when users are in private or incognito mode—according to experts from Radboud University and IMDEA Networks.
At least five people have been killed in a shooting attack near a secondary school in Graz, Austria, authorities confirmed as an operation continues on the scene.
Sales of electric and hybrid vehicles in China saw a strong year-on-year growth in May, boosted by government-backed trade-in programs designed to stimulate domestic consumption.
In response to Japanese scrutiny of its naval movements, China has stressed that its national defence policy is defensive in nature. Beijing expressed hope that Japan would view its recent two-carrier operations in the Pacific "objectively and rationally."
Britain will invest £14.2 billion in building the Sizewell C nuclear power plant in Suffolk, marking a major step in its long-term strategy to boost energy security and meet climate goals.
Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, has emerged as the pivotal hub connecting Central Asia to global markets, with the Middle Corridor transport route experiencing unprecedented growth in 2024.
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