Amazon's challenge to Musk's Starlink to have first launch

Amazon launched its first two prototype satellites on Friday, in its first test mission as part of its plan to deliver the internet from space and compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink service.

The satellite duo, called Kuipersat-1 and Kuipersat-2, will be deployed in an orbit 311 miles above Earth’s surface. From there, tests will be performed to the spacecraft’s systems, solar arrays will be deployed to generate power, and attempts will be made to beam internet connections from space to a customer terminal on Earth.

The company founded by Jeff Bezos said its Project Kuiper would provide "fast, affordable broadband to unserved and underserved communities around the world," with a constellation of more than 3,200 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).