Amazon’s first two Internet satellites will launch into orbit today

Enlarge / Amazon’s first two prototype Internet satellites are buttoned up for launch inside the payload fairing of an Atlas V rocket. (credit: Amazon)

The first two prototype satellites for Amazon’s broadband network are ready for launch Friday from Florida, the first in a series of at least 77 rocket launches the retail giant has booked over the next six years to deploy a fleet of more than 3,200 spacecraft to rival SpaceX’s Starlink system.

These first two satellites for Amazon’s $10 billion Internet megaconstellation, called Project Kuiper, will take off on top of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The two-hour launch window opens at 2 pm EDT (18:00 UTC).

You can watch the launch from Cape Canaveral with the YouTube video embedded here.