Amazon launched its first two prototype satellites for its planned satellite internet network, "Kuiper," from Florida on Friday. This marks a significant initial step for the company before sending thousands of additional satellites into orbit to provide global internet services and compete with SpaceX's Starlink. An Atlas V rocket from the United Launch Alliance, branded with Amazon’s logo, lifted off from Cape Canaveral shortly after 2 PM (1800 GMT) carrying the two experimental satellites as part of the long-awaited mission. Initially, Amazon planned to use different rockets.
The mission aims to test Amazon's first technological components in space, as the e-commerce and web services giant seeks to deploy 3,236 more satellites over the next few years to provide widespread internet service worldwide. This achievement is also pursued by Elon Musk's SpaceX, which has five thousand satellites in orbit for its Starlink network. Amazon has committed to investing ten billion dollars in its Kuiper project, which was announced in 2019, the same year SpaceX began operating its first Starlink spacecraft.
