SpaceX Launches Amazon Kuiper Satellites In Second Mission For Rival

SpaceX on Monday launched another batch of satellites for rival Amazon’s (AMZN) Project Kuiper, marking its second mission for the competitor in less than a month. 

After four days of weather-related delays, a Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 8:35 a.m. ET, carrying 24 Kuiper broadband internet satellites. The first-stage booster, put into action for the first time on this mission, is scheduled to attempt a downrange recovery on the Atlantic-based droneship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’.

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around SpaceX was in ‘bullish’ territory. Meanwhile, Amazon’s stock edged 0.37% lower after the opening bell. Retail sentiment around the company dipped but remained in ‘bullish’ territory over the past day.

SpaceX was not part of Amazon’s original launch providers for Kuiper, which aims to compete with Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet network. The successful KA-02 mission adds to Amazon’s growing constellation as it works toward deploying thousands of satellites to provide global broadband coverage.

The mission was able to take off on Monday after four days of the launch being delayed. On Thursday and Friday, the launch was cancelled because SpaceX needed more time for additional vehicle checks. On Saturday and Sunday, the weather was not ideal.

Amazon booked three SpaceX flights, with one still to go. However, the bulk of Project Kuiper’s 3,236-satellite deployment is in the hands of United Launch Alliance (ULA). ULA delivered the first pair of test satellites via an Atlas V in 2023 and has completed two more Atlas V launches this year. The private company is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Boeing (BA) aimed at launching government and commercial satellites.

Read also: Peter Thiel-Backed Bullish Targets $4.82B Valuation After Upsizing US IPO

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