The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved a second tranche of low Earth orbit satellites for Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), authorizing 4,504 additional satellites and lifting the constellation’s total to 7,727 devices.
Among the new approvals, 3,212 are Gen 2 satellites positioned to offer enhanced capabilities, while 1,292 Gen 1 satellites are intended to extend coverage to polar regions such as northern North America and Europe.
Under the order, Amazon Leo must deploy half of the approved satellites by February 10, 2032, with the remaining half due by February 10, 2035.
Aiming to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink, Amazon Leo has been in development since 2019. Starlink currently operates roughly 9,000 satellites and has received clearance to grow to about 15,000 satellites, underscoring the scale of the race.
Deployment progress has been slow; as of now, Amazon Leo has launched 180 satellites of the 1,616 required. Thirty-two more satellites were scheduled to lift off later today on a mission using Ariane 6. Despite the pace, Amazon still intends to offer commercial services later this year.
In related news, maritime connectivity reseller MTN announced it will be the first to offer Amazon Leo access in the sector, highlighting a blended model that combines LEO networks with GEO satellites and wireless infrastructure to deliver improved connectivity.
Industry observers note that meeting the aggressive launch timelines will be critical to catch Starlink’s scale, but the new FCC approval represents a significant milestone for Amazon Leo.
