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Amazon's Satellite Internet Lags as SpaceX Readies Starship Launch
28 Sep
Summary
- SpaceX will launch first Starlink V3 satellites on Starship's maiden orbital flight.
- Amazon's Project Kuiper faces launch delays from multiple partners.
- Amazon's satellite deployment lags significantly behind SpaceX's Starlink.
SpaceX is poised to deploy its first Starlink V3 satellites atop a Starship rocket for its initial orbital flight. This event is particularly significant as Amazon's Project Kuiper faces ongoing launch challenges.
Amazon's progress has been hampered by delays from its primary launch partners. United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket has been grounded since February 2026, and Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket experienced a launchpad failure in May 2026. Even additional launches contracted with Arianespace are facing disruptions through the remainder of 2026 due to component issues.
These setbacks mean Amazon's Leo constellation is expanding slowly, falling considerably behind the extensive Starlink network. The company has already received an extension on its FCC deadline to launch half of its planned satellites, underscoring the urgency to increase deployment cadence to compete.
