Project Kuiper vs. Starlink: Can Amazon Catch Up in the Satellite Internet Race?

Project Kuiper faces launch delays, FCC deadlines, and reliance on new rockets, hindering its competition with Starlink.

### Project Kuiper: Aspirations and Challenges in Competing with Starlink
* 🚀 Project Kuiper aims to compete with SpaceX's Starlink, which currently operates **over 6,000 satellites** providing **global high-speed internet service**.
* 🛰 Amazon's original plan was to launch its first batch of operational satellites in **early 2023**, but delays have pushed this timeline to **early next year for launches** and **later in the year for service**.
* 📅 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandates that by July 2026, Amazon must have **over 1,600 satellites operational** to avoid needing an extension.
* 🔄 Launching these satellites poses a challenge, with Blue Origin being a potential option, but Amazon also has a contract with SpaceX for three launches, which is **insufficient for their overall needs**.
* 🌍 Amazon is primarily looking to new rockets from Blue Origin, Arianespace, and United Launch Alliance, but these rockets have **limited launch history**, having launched **only three times collectively**.
* ⏳ Establishing a **reliable launch schedule** for these new rockets will take time, adding to the challenges Kuiper faces in its quest to **compete with SpaceX**.
* 🤝 Meanwhile, the close relationship between **Elon Musk and President-elect Trump** raises concerns for Jeff Bezos, especially given their **past conflicts** and Bezos's **legal actions against the Trump administration**.
* 💬 Despite this, Bezos has recently made positive remarks about the incoming administration, indicating a **possible shift in tone**.

[CC may contain inaccuracies] Project Kuiper is supposed to be a competitor to SpaceX's Starlink.

Is it fair at this point to even call it a competitor?

Well, it aspires to be, but at the moment it's not there yet.

So, Starlink has more than 6,000 satellites operating, providing high-speed internet service around the world.

Amazon wants Project Kuiper to do something similar. The original goal was to have the first batch of operational satellites launch in the first half of this year, and by this time they would have data service starting.

They've encountered delays, though, in launching the satellites. They're now looking to launch the first batch of satellites early next year and then have service starting later in the year.

One big problem is that they have a deadline from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) when they first got the license for this back in 2020.

They need to have half of their satellites—that's over 1,600 satellites—up and operating by the middle of July 2026.

If they don't meet that, then they're going to need the FCC to give them an extension, to give them a waiver.

One challenge is getting those satellites into orbit. Blue Origin is certainly a possibility.

But if they can't pull it off, can they rely on SpaceX to do this? Would that ever happen? Well, they do have a contract with SpaceX to launch on, I think, three SpaceX rockets.

Rockets, but that's just a tiny part of their total launch needs. So, for the most part, Amazon is looking to new rockets from Blue Origin, which is Jeff Bezos' founded company, as well as Europe's Arianespace and United Launch

Alliance, which is a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The challenge, though, is that those three companies all have *new* rockets. Among the three of them, those rockets have launched a total of three times. So they don't really have a huge track record.

And it takes a while to get a rocket up and going on a frequent launch schedule. So it's a big challenge that they face. On the other hand, SpaceX, of course, has its own rockets. They don't have to worry about that, it seems.

Speaking of SpaceX, Elon Musk and President-elect Trump are extremely close after what happened over the last few months.  More than $200 million, Musk spent to help get Trump elected. How bad is that for Jeff Bezos? Well,

of course, Musk and the President-elect are very close. President Trump, during his first term, *did* have some run-ins with Jeff Bezos. There was some criticism from the President of Jeff Bezos, who, of course, owns The Washington Post.

Amazon *did* go to court in the first Trump administration alleging unfair treatment of the company, saying that they had been cut out of a contract with the Defense Department. So there *is* history there. More recently, we have seen pretty upbeat comments from Jeff Bezos about the President-elect and the new

Bezos Feuded With Trump, But Now Needs Help in Musk Space Race

Welcome to the Bloomberg Technology YouTube channel. Subscribe for original series and mini-docs on game-changing technologies, profiles on innovators, live conversations with experts, and breaking technology news & analysis from Bloomberg TV.

Bloomberg Technology

Comparison of Project Kuiper and Starlink, highlighting Kuiper's delays and challenges.

Project Kuiper aims to rival Starlink but lags behind in satellite deployment and operational status.

Starlink operates over 6,000 satellites, offering global internet service, while Kuiper's initial launch and service start are delayed to next year.

Kuiper faces an FCC deadline to deploy half of its satellites by mid-2026 or request an extension.

Kuiper relies on new rockets from Blue Origin, Arianespace, and United Launch Alliance, all with limited launch experience.

Project Kuiper's launch challenges and reliance on new rockets.

Securing reliable launch capabilities is crucial for Kuiper's success.

Limited contract with SpaceX for only three launches, insufficient for Kuiper's overall needs.

The chosen launch providers (Blue Origin, Arianespace, ULA) have new rockets with limited launch history, posing a risk to Kuiper's timeline.

SpaceX's established launch infrastructure contrasts with Kuiper's dependence on less proven launch providers.

Relationship between Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and the incoming presidential administration.

Elon Musk's close relationship with the President-elect is highlighted, contrasting with past tensions between the previous administration and Jeff Bezos.

Previous administration's criticism of Bezos and Amazon's legal challenge regarding a Defense Department contract are mentioned.

Recent positive comments from Bezos about the new administration suggest a potential shift in the dynamic.