Better late than never for the alternative to Elon Musk. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announces that the space-internet service Leo, formerly Project Kuiper, will launch in mid-2026, indicating commercial availability following an enterprise preview in late 2025. Unlike SpaceX’s Starlink, Amazon lacks its own rockets to deploy Leo satellites, relying instead on launch partners, including SpaceX, until its New Glenn rocket is ready. With FCC approval for 3,236 satellites, Amazon has launched 241, falling short of its mid-2026 target and seeking an extension. Upon launch, Leo promises to be faster, more affordable, and well-integrated with AWS for seamless data transfer for business and government needs. Despite delays, the demand for a competitive alternative to Musk is clear among users needing efficient global data coverage, albeit with another billionaire.
