SpaceX successfully launched the Project Kuiper KF-02 mission aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The mission, which occurred on August 10, 2025, deployed 24 additional satellites for Amazon's ambitious low Earth orbit (LEO) internet constellation. This launch significantly advances Project Kuiper's goal of providing global broadband access, bringing the total number of operational Kuiper satellites in orbit to 102.
The KF-02 mission marks the second time SpaceX has launched operational Kuiper satellites and the fourth overall deployment for Amazon's constellation. This launch is part of a multi-launch agreement between Amazon and SpaceX, underscoring the critical role of commercial launch providers in deploying large satellite networks. Following the successful deployment, the Falcon 9's first stage booster, B1091, executed a precision landing on the droneship 'A Shortfall of Gravitas' in the Atlantic Ocean.
Project Kuiper, managed by Amazon's Devices and Services division, aims to deliver high-speed, affordable internet to underserved regions worldwide, directly competing with SpaceX's Starlink. The initiative, which began development in 2018 and received FCC approval in 2020, envisions a vast network of over 3,200 satellites. Amazon has secured the largest commercial procurement of launch capacity in history, involving various providers to deploy its full constellation.
The deployment of these 24 satellites is a crucial step in building out Project Kuiper's infrastructure, which includes gateway antennas and user terminals designed for speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. While pricing details are yet to be announced, Amazon emphasizes affordability and scalability for its service. The ongoing rapid deployment highlights the accelerating race to establish global satellite internet coverage and bridge the digital divide.
SpaceX itself announced the launch on its official social media channel, stating,
"Watch Falcon 9 launch the @ProjectKuiper KF-02 mission to orbit https://t.co/X57CydCekS." This public announcement underscores the collaboration between the two aerospace giants and the transparency surrounding such significant space endeavors. The successful execution of the mission reinforces the reliability of the Falcon 9 for large-scale satellite deployments.