Amazon Launches First 27 Satellites into Orbit for 'Project Kuiper' Internet Constellation.
Science and Technology
On April 28, 2025, Washington, D.C., the United States of America (USA)-based Amazon.com, Inc. successfully launched the first 27 satellites of its 'Project Kuiper' broadband internet constellation. The launch took place from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA. This marks a major milestone for Amazon’s ambitious plan to provide global internet coverage through satellite technology. The mission was officially designated as Kuiper Atlas 1 (KA-01).
- The 27 satellites were delivered into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) using an Atlas V rocket, developed by the United Launch Alliance (ULA) — a joint venture between Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin Corporation, both based in the USA. The Atlas V rocket is known for its reliability and precision, making it a strategic choice for deploying Amazon’s initial satellite fleet.
- The satellites were initially deployed at an altitude of 280 miles (450 kilometers) above the Earth's surface. They are expected to ascend further to their operational orbit of 393 miles (630 kilometers) using their onboard propulsion systems. This step is essential to position the satellites correctly within the broader Project Kuiper constellation aimed at delivering high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity worldwide.
Main Point :- (i) Project Kuiper is a USD 10 billion global broadband initiative launched by Amazon with the goal of delivering high-speed, low-latency internet to underserved and remote regions around the world. It aims to bridge the digital divide by providing reliable internet access where traditional infrastructure is limited or unavailable.
(ii) The full satellite constellation will comprise 3,236 satellites deployed across three orbital shells, positioned between 590 km and 630 km above Earth's surface. The system is designed to seamlessly integrate with Amazon Web Services (AWS), enhancing data processing capabilities for advanced applications such as satellite imagery analysis, cloud computing, and weather forecasting.
(iii) In October 2023, Amazon conducted initial test missions by launching two prototype satellites — KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2 — to validate the system's core technologies. Following successful testing, both prototypes were intentionally deorbited and safely burned up in Earth’s atmosphere. The final satellite design includes upgraded subsystems based on insights gained from these early missions.
About Amazon.com, Inc
President & CEO : Andy Jassy
Headquarters : Washington, D.C., the United States of America (USA)
____________________________