{"id":795698,"date":"2025-04-29T00:10:05","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T05:10:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=795698"},"modified":"2025-04-29T00:10:05","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T05:10:05","slug":"amazon-launches-its-first-internet-satellites-to-compete-against-spacexs-starlinks-npr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=795698","title":{"rendered":"Amazon launches its first internet satellites to compete against SpaceX’s Starlinks : NPR"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with a payload of 27 of Amazon’s Project Kuiper internet satellites lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Monday.
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John Raoux\/AP<\/p>\n

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John Raoux\/AP<\/p>\n

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. \u2014 Amazon’s first batch of internet satellites rocketed into orbit Monday, the latest entry in the mega constellation market currently dominated by SpaceX’s thousands of Starlinks.<\/p>\n

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The United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket carried up 27 of Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellites, named after the frigid fringes of our solar system beyond Neptune. Once released in orbit, the satellites will eventually reach an altitude of nearly 400 miles (630 kilometers).<\/p>\n

Two test satellites were launched in 2023, also by an Atlas V. Project officials said major upgrades were made to the newest version. The latest satellites also are coated with a mirror film designed to scatter reflected sunlight in an attempt to accommodate astronomers.<\/p>\n