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Amazon has received regulatory approval to significantly scale up its space-based broadband ambitions. The Federal Communications Commission has authorized the company to deploy an additional 4,500 low Earth orbit satellites, a move that will expand its planned Project Leo constellation to approximately 7,700 satellites.

The decision marks a major milestone in Amazon’s multibillion-dollar push to become a dominant player in the global satellite internet market, currently led by Elon Musk’s SpaceX and its Starlink network.

A Rapid Expansion of Amazon’s Space Network

With this latest approval, Amazon is accelerating the buildout of Project Leo, first unveiled in 2019 as a $10 billion initiative to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband worldwide. The newly approved satellites represent Amazon’s second-generation orbital systems and will operate at altitudes of up to 400 miles above Earth.

The second-generation fleet is designed to enhance network resilience, expand coverage across additional geographic regions, and support more frequency bands to improve speed and capacity. These satellites will also incorporate upgraded onboard processing systems, enabling more efficient data routing and reduced latency for end users.

Since April, Amazon has launched more than 150 satellites using multiple commercial launch providers. The company is targeting a commercial service launch later this year, positioning Leo as a direct challenger to established satellite broadband players.

Regulatory Deadlines and Deployment Targets

The FCC’s authorization comes with strict deployment milestones. Amazon must place at least 50 percent of the newly approved satellites into orbit by February 10, 2032. The remaining half must be launched by February 10, 2035.

At the same time, Amazon faces a separate regulatory requirement to deploy 1,600 first-generation satellites by July 2026. However, the company recently petitioned the FCC to extend that deadline to July 2028 or waive it entirely.

Amazon argues that external factors, particularly limited rocket availability and broader launch market bottlenecks, have constrained its deployment timeline. The company stated that it is manufacturing satellites at a pace that currently exceeds global launch capacity.

Industry-wide rocket shortages have affected multiple satellite operators, especially as demand for launch services has surged alongside government and commercial space initiatives.

Billions Invested and More to Come

Project Leo represents one of Amazon’s largest long-term infrastructure bets outside its core retail and cloud computing businesses. The company has already committed $10 billion to the initiative and expects to invest an additional $1 billion this year alone as it ramps up satellite production and launches.

According to Amazon’s latest quarterly financial disclosures, more than 20 launches are scheduled for 2026, followed by over 30 missions in 2027. The company has secured launch agreements with multiple providers to diversify risk and maintain momentum.

The next Leo mission is scheduled for Thursday, when an Arianespace rocket is set to deploy 32 satellites into orbit. Amazon has already booked 17 additional missions with the European launch provider, reflecting a long-term partnership strategy aimed at ensuring consistent access to space.

Competing With Starlink’s Scale

Amazon’s ambitions place it squarely against SpaceX’s Starlink, which currently operates more than 9,000 satellites in orbit and serves approximately 9 million customers globally. Starlink has already achieved commercial scale across residential, enterprise, aviation, and maritime markets.

To compete effectively, Amazon will need to close the deployment gap quickly. While Starlink has a first-mover advantage and vertically integrated launch capabilities through SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets, Amazon is leveraging its global logistics expertise, capital strength, and cloud infrastructure through Amazon Web Services to build a differentiated offering.

The satellite broadband market is projected to grow into a multibillion-dollar global industry over the next decade, driven by demand in rural and underserved regions, disaster recovery, government connectivity contracts, and emerging markets where traditional fiber infrastructure is costly or impractical.

A Strategic Bet on Global Connectivity

Project Leo is more than just a satellite initiative. It represents Amazon’s strategic expansion into telecommunications infrastructure, potentially integrating with AWS cloud services, enterprise networking solutions, and edge computing capabilities.

If Amazon meets its deployment targets and begins commercial operations on schedule, the company could rapidly scale its subscriber base, particularly in regions with limited terrestrial broadband access.

With regulatory approval secured for 4,500 additional satellites and billions of dollars committed, Amazon is entering a decisive phase in its effort to reshape the global broadband landscape from orbit.