Amazon’s decision to rely on SpaceX, despite being a direct competitor, shows the urgency behind Project Kuiper. Amazon had already signed contracts with several launch providers like ULA, Arianespace, and Blue Origin (which is also owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos). But most of these rockets are either delayed or flying rarely. Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket hasn’t flown yet. Arianespace’s Ariane 6 just completed its first mission in July 2025, and ULA’s Vulcan Centaur has limited flights.
In this situation, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was the only option that could provide fast and reliable access to orbit. Falcon 9 has completed hundreds of successful launches and is currently the most reliable rocket system in the world, according to SpaceX. This move also signals a change in Amazon’s execution strategy. Project Kuiper is no longer moving slowly. Amazon now needs to move quickly to meet important rules and stay competitive with SpaceX’s Starlink.
Starlink already has over 7,855 working satellites in space, according to Jonathan McDowell’s satellite tracker. Compared to that, Kuiper is just getting started. But Amazon has bigger plans. It wants to use the Kuiper satellite network as a base to expand Amazon Web Services (AWS) and improve cloud access across the globe. The company says that small-scale testing of Kuiper internet service will begin in early 2026, and full operations are expected soon after. The total cost of the project is over $10 billion (Amazon’s most ambitious move into space).
So, by choosing SpaceX, Amazon has taken a serious step to make Kuiper real. It’s not just an idea anymore. The system is launching, growing, and aiming to compete. This one mission won’t close the gap with Starlink, but it shows that Amazon is now playing to win. The question is not just whether Kuiper will succeed, but how fast Amazon can build, scale, and deliver. The pressure is on and Falcon 9 is just the beginning.
