Elon Musk's SpaceX offers this 'BIG HELP' to rival Amazon's Kuiper internet satellites; company says 'Pumped to have…'
Elon Musk ’s rocket company SpaceX has provided launch services for Amazon ’s Kuiper internet satellites. This marks a major collaboration between two rival companies in the satellite internet market, as SpaceX’s Starlink currently holds a dominant position in the low-Earth orbit satellite internet sector. Amazon has confirmed that a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched 24 Kuiper satellites into space. The launch took place from Florida’s Space Coast at 2:30 a.m. ET (12.00 am IST). Nearly an hour after liftoff, SpaceX confirmed that all Kuiper satellites were successfully deployed. The mission was also livestreamed on the social media platform X (earlier Twitter). It's important to note that Starlink operates a constellation of around 8,000 satellites and serves about 5 million customers globally.
What Amazon said about the help from rival SpaceX
Soon after the launch, Panos Panay, who oversees Amazon’s devices and services unit, including Kuiper, thanked SpaceX for giving the satellites a lift into space. In a LinkedIn post, Panay wrote: “Congrats to the amazing Amazon Project Kuiper team on another successful launch, and a big thanks to SpaceX for the ride to space. Pumped to have another batch of Kuiper satellites heading into orbit!”
Launched in 2019, Amazon’s Project Kuiper aims to deliver global broadband via a network of over 3,000 satellites. To meet the FCC’s deadline, Amazon need to have about 1,600 satellites in orbit by July 2026.
After three launches, which include one in July 2025, the company has 78 satellites in orbit and has secured up to 83 launches, including rides with SpaceX.
Kuiper represents a growing rivalry between Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Musk, who leads competing ventures Starlink and SpaceX. Bezos’ Blue Origin also seeks to rival SpaceX with its New Glenn rocket.
According to a report by CNBC, Amazon has committed over $10 billion to Kuiper, though analysts estimate the project could cost up to $23 billion, excluding user terminal expenses.
Each launch reportedly costs Amazon $150 million, with satellite production projected to reach $1.1 billion by year-end. Targeting a market expected to hit $40 billion by 2030, Amazon could earn $7.1 billion in Kuiper revenue by 2032 with a 30% market share.
What Amazon said about the help from rival SpaceX
Soon after the launch, Panos Panay, who oversees Amazon’s devices and services unit, including Kuiper, thanked SpaceX for giving the satellites a lift into space. In a LinkedIn post, Panay wrote: “Congrats to the amazing Amazon Project Kuiper team on another successful launch, and a big thanks to SpaceX for the ride to space. Pumped to have another batch of Kuiper satellites heading into orbit!”
Launched in 2019, Amazon’s Project Kuiper aims to deliver global broadband via a network of over 3,000 satellites. To meet the FCC’s deadline, Amazon need to have about 1,600 satellites in orbit by July 2026.
After three launches, which include one in July 2025, the company has 78 satellites in orbit and has secured up to 83 launches, including rides with SpaceX.
Kuiper represents a growing rivalry between Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Musk, who leads competing ventures Starlink and SpaceX. Bezos’ Blue Origin also seeks to rival SpaceX with its New Glenn rocket.
According to a report by CNBC, Amazon has committed over $10 billion to Kuiper, though analysts estimate the project could cost up to $23 billion, excluding user terminal expenses.
Each launch reportedly costs Amazon $150 million, with satellite production projected to reach $1.1 billion by year-end. Targeting a market expected to hit $40 billion by 2030, Amazon could earn $7.1 billion in Kuiper revenue by 2032 with a 30% market share.
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