Amazon’s Kuiper Internet Satellites Launch Delayed As Bad Weather Plays Spoilsport

The launch of the first Amazon’s Kuiper Project satellites, touted as a rival program to Elon Musk-owned internet provider Starlink, was scrubbed on Wednesday due to inclement weather.

“Weather is observed and forecast NO GO for liftoff within the remaining launch window this evening,” United Launch Alliance, whose Atlas V rocket was supposed to carry the satellites, said in a statement.

ULA, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing, said a new launch date would be announced once approved.

On Wednesday, the ULA rocket was expected to carry 27 Kuiper satellites from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, to Earth’s lower orbit.

Amazon launched the Kuiper Project in 2019 to offer high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity through a large satellite constellation. It expects to start offering services by this year.

The Federal Communications Commission has approved the initial deployment of 3,236 satellites. However, half of them must start operating by July 30, 2026 as per a deadline from the regulator.

Amazon has secured more than 80 launches to deploy the satellites, with 45 of them being conducted by the ULA.

Other launch providers for the project include Arianespace, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, and Musk-headed SpaceX.

As Amazon looks to start its operations, Starlink is already on course to bring in more than $12 billion in revenue in 2025, according to space industry research firm Quilty Space.

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