Amazon needs more time to build its Leo satellite network

Amazon has asked the US telecommunications authority FCC for an extension to build its own Leo satellite network. The approval for the satellite internet, previously known as Project Kuiper, granted in July 2020, requires the company to launch 1618 satellites into orbit by July 30, 2026. However, so far there are only 180, and Amazon now admits it will not be able to launch the required number by the deadline. Therefore, the company has requested a 24-month postponement from the FCC.

The Amazon Leo satellite internet service went live at the end of November 2025, but so far only for a few test customers. These are companies that rely on reliable connectivity, including firms from the energy, manufacturing, media, and transport sectors. A “broader commercial rollout” is planned for this year. Initially, the service will be offered in five countries: the USA, France, the UK, Canada, and Germany, where Amazon's Starlink alternative is expected to be available in early 2026.

Next rocket launch: mid-February

Amazon aims to achieve this with significantly fewer satellites than originally planned. While Amazon has just announced that it will launch 32 more satellites for Leo into Earth orbit with the help of Arianespace in mid-February. However, this will only increase the total number to 212. For the project, Amazon had applied to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) for a total of 3236 satellites to be in orbit by 2029. The FCC had required that half of these be in orbit by the end of July 2026 for approval.

Amazon is not meeting this and attributes it to delays in rocket launches, difficult weather conditions, technical problems, and rocket operators prioritizing government contracts. Therefore, according to Amazon, it was only able to carry out 7 of the more than 20 planned rocket launches in 2025, as shown in the request for an extension published by Geekwire (PDF). However, Amazon believes it will be able to have around 700 of the required 1618 satellites in orbit by July 30, 2026.

Investments in production and rocket launches

Furthermore, Amazon has secured “far more launch dates than necessary” to achieve the goal of a complete satellite constellation in 2029 – should no further delays or other issues arise. In its FCC application, the company also points out that Amazon has invested over 500 million US dollars in satellite production and employs more than 1500 full-time employees who manufacture 30 satellites per week. This allows for the production of more than 1500 satellites per year.

To launch the satellites into space, Amazon has contracted 102 rocket launches with four different providers, according to its statements: 18 with Arianespace's Ariane 6, 24 with Blue Origin's New Glenn, 38 with ULA's Vulcan Centaur (United Launch Alliance), 9 with ULA's Atlas V, and 13 with SpaceX's Falcon 9. Amazon plans to ensure that at least 1618 satellites are in orbit by the end of July 2028 and all 3236 satellites for internet access the following year.

(fds)