Online Desk : Amazon launched its first set of Project Kuiper satellites on Monday, officially entering the satellite internet sector and challenging SpaceX’s dominant Starlink network.

The mission, named Kuiper Atlas 1, lifted off at 7:00 p.m. local time from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket, carrying 27 satellites into low Earth orbit.

The launch follows a weather-related delay earlier this month and marks a key milestone for Amazon`s $10 billion initiative to build a constellation of 3,200 satellites. Project Kuiper, a subsidiary of the retail giant founded by Jeff Bezos, aims to offer affordable global internet access and plans to begin service later this year. Pricing details have not yet been disclosed, but Amazon promises competitive rates aligned with its low-cost brand image.

"Atlas V is on its way to orbit to take those 27 Kuiper satellites, put them on their way, and really start this new era in internet connectivity," said Caleb Weiss of ULA.

Amazon’s entry adds another major player to the increasingly crowded low Earth orbit satellite internet market, which is currently led by Elon Musk’s Starlink. Since launching its first satellites in 2019, Starlink has grown to over 6,750 operational units and now serves more than five million users globally. It has also played a crucial role in providing emergency internet services, such as in Morocco after its 2023 earthquake and on the Ukrainian frontlines.

To accelerate deployment, Amazon has secured more than 80 future launches through ULA, Arianespace, Bezos`s own Blue Origin, and even Musk`s SpaceX. These satellites will join networks from competitors such as OneWeb (Europe) and China`s Guowang.

The rapid expansion of low Earth orbit activity has raised concerns over orbital congestion, collision risks, and interference with astronomical research. It also highlights the growing political power of tech billionaires in space, particularly Musk, whose influence extends into international diplomacy and conflicts.