Key takeaways
Satellite Deployment: Amazon has launched over 390 satellites, enough to start initial service of its Leo broadband network, with more satellites planned to expand coverage and capacity.
Competition with Starlink: Amazon aims to rival SpaceX Starlink, which already serves 12 million customers with over 10,000 satellites, though Amazon’s launch pace is currently slower.
Service & Technology: Initial service will focus on northern and southern latitudes, featuring the Leo Ultra antenna for high-speed internet, with early access given to select business customers like JetBlue and Hunt Energy Network
Amazon has now deployed enough satellites to deliver a space-based internet service to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink, a company executive has said.
The latest launch of 29 satellites from Florida on Thursday aboard an Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance put the size of the constellation above 390, which is enough to roll out initial service of its Leo broadband network.
“Still lots of work ahead – including raising all these new satellites to their assigned altitude,” Amazon’s Leo chief Chris Weber said in a post to X.
“But we’ve completed enough launches for initial service this yr, and future missions just add coverage and capacity.”
Service for Amazon Leo will likely be restricted to northerly and southerly latitudes at first, before spreading towards the equator as more satellites are deployed.