**Amazon to Launch Initial Leo Internet Service This Year Amid Satellite Deployment Surge**
Amazon is poised to initiate its Leo broadband satellite internet service later this year, following a successful launch that has increased the number of satellites in its constellation to over 390. This announcement was made by Chris Weber, the head of Amazon's Leo project, on Thursday after the company deployed a batch of 29 satellites from Florida aboard an Atlas V rocket, marking the 14th launch in its ambitious satellite program.
The Leo network is part of Amazon's broader strategy to provide global internet coverage via a constellation of more than 3,200 satellites. As of now, 394 satellites have been successfully placed in orbit, with a total of 398 launched since the program began in April 2025, according to spaceflight analyst Jonathan McDowell.
Weber noted in a post on social media platform X that while significant work remains—particularly in raising the newly launched satellites to their designated altitudes—the company has made sufficient progress to begin offering initial service this year. He did not specify the exact regions where the service will first be available, but it is anticipated to start near the Earth's poles and gradually extend towards the equator as more satellites are added to the network.
The Leo constellation is set to compete directly with SpaceX's Starlink, which currently operates around 10,000 satellites. Similar to Starlink, Amazon's Leo service aims to provide internet access to a wide range of customers, including individual consumers, businesses, and government entities, with terminal sizes ranging from laptop-sized devices to larger, more powerful versions.
Amazon's plans for the Leo network involve a significant investment, with CEO Dave Limp indicating that the company has secured rocket bookings worth tens of billions of dollars to facilitate satellite launches. The Atlas V rocket, operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA), has been a critical component of this deployment strategy, especially as other planned launch vehicles, such as Blue Origin's New Glenn and ULA's Vulcan, face delays.
The New Glenn rocket experienced a setback last month when it exploded on the launchpad, leading to the destruction of the launch tower and associated equipment. Engineers are currently investigating the cause of the explosion, with Limp expressing optimism that launches could resume by the end of the year. Meanwhile, the Vulcan rocket is also grounded due to a solid rocket motor separation issue encountered earlier this year. Both rockets utilize the BE-4 engines developed by Blue Origin, which may complicate the timeline for returning to flight.
ULA spokesperson Jessica Rye emphasized the collaborative approach between ULA and Blue Origin engineers as they work to identify the root cause of the issues affecting the rockets. She noted that transparency and cooperation are key to resolving any potential crossover concerns related to the BE-4 engines.
In total, Amazon has approximately 100 rocket launches booked, with a projected value of at least $82 billion, to support the development of its satellite constellation. The company is also working with other launch providers, including French aerospace manufacturer Arianespace and SpaceX, to diversify its launch capabilities.
As Amazon moves closer to launching its Leo internet service, the competition in the satellite internet market is expected to intensify, with both Amazon and SpaceX vying to establish themselves as leaders in providing global connectivity from space.