Written By: Arnel Murga

Amazon’s Project Kuiper hits 102 satellites in orbit following a successful SpaceX Falcon 9 launch, as it races to meet FCC deployment deadlines and challenge Starlink’s dominance.

Amazon has successfully launched its fourth mission under Project Kuiper, bringing the total number of satellites in orbit to 102. This achievement was made possible with SpaceX’s help, as a Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 8:35 a.m. ET and deployed 24 Kuiper satellites just under an hour later.

The launch had been delayed several times due to weather, making Monday’s mission a relief for the Kuiper team. It also marked the second time Amazon tapped SpaceX, its foremost competitor in satellite internet, for launch services.

“Congrats to the amazing Amazon Project Kuiper team on another successful launch, and a big thanks to SpaceX for the ride to space,” Panos Panay, a technology executive, said in a LinkedIn post. “Pumped to have another batch of Kuiper satellites heading into orbit!”

Starlink currently dwarfs Kuiper, with approximately 8,000 satellites in orbit serving around 5 million customers across more than 125 countries globally.

“We’ve completed three missions in less than three months, and we’re continuing to pick up the pace as we prepare to begin delivering service to customers. Our facilities and team in Florida play a critical role in that process,” said Steve Metayer, VP/production operations at Project Kuiper. “At full capacity, this building will house three dispenser systems stacked full of Kuiper satellites, and a combination of fairings from rockets like Atlas V, Vulcan, New Glenn, and Falcon 9. There’s nothing else like it on the Space Coast.”