All NewsApril 4, 2025

Jeff Bezos’ Amazon quietly launches plan to take down Elon Musk

Jeff Bezos is one of the best-known names in the world, thanks to the 27 years he put in to transform Amazon from an internet bookseller into the retail behemoth it is today.

Bezos has since stepped down from his CEO post and turned his attention to the stars. He now owns Blue Origin, a space technology company that’s been bubbling in the news as of late after announcing that the crew of its New Shepard rocketship’s 31st mission would be all-female, including high-profile people such as Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez, Gayle King, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, and Kerianne Flynn.

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Even though Bezos has turned his attention to his newer business, that doesn’t mean that Amazon doesn’t have spaceflight plans of its own. The company made a recent announcement that reveals big plans that could majorly impact Elon Musk’s SpaceX and, more specifically, his Starlink network.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk waves to his admirers during a T-Mobile and SpaceX joint event.

Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images

Amazon plans to take on Starlink

In an April 2 post on its official site, Amazon announced that Project Kuiper, its broadband satellite network, is set for its first launch on Wednesday, April 9.

“The mission, named “KA-01” for Kuiper Atlas 1, will launch on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, and deploy 27 satellites at an altitude of 280 miles (450 kilometers) above Earth,” the post says.

Related: Amazon’s Jeff Bezos Takes New Step in Fight With Elon Musk’s SpaceX

Amazon also reveals more details on its future plans for the satellite system.

“Our first-generation satellite system will include more than 3,200 advanced low Earth orbit satellites, and we’ve secured more than 80 launches to deploy that initial constellation, with each one adding dozens of satellites to the network,” the post says. “The KA-01 mission is just the first step in that process.”

Amazon says that Project Kuiper expects to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet to customers later in the year.

Why Project Kuiper is a threat to Starlink

When Elon Musk’s Starlink first started to send its test satellites to space in 2018, there was no other major business dabbling in the satellite internet space, leaving generous room for Musk to make groundbreaking innovations.

As of September 2024, Starlink has established more than 7,000 satellites in low-earth orbit and plans to deploy 12,000 more. 

Last year, Starlink announced that thanks to its efforts, more than 4 million people now have access to high-speed internet across 100+ countries.

Now that Project Kuiper is making its first major launch, Starlink is no longer the only player in the space. 

Of course, Musk has a significant head start. However, Project Kuiper’s plans mean that for the first time, Starlink will have major competition. 

And if Amazon has proven anything over time with its retail business, it’s that slow and steady can absolutely win the race.

Related: Elon Musk’s failed SpaceX launch grounded Orlando flights