Amazon has deployed enough satellites in orbit to begin offering its Leo broadband internet service later this year. This development marks the company's most significant step yet in the race to provide satellite-based internet.
The progress was bolstered by a launch on July 2, when a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lofted 29 satellites for Amazon. This launch helped the company reach the threshold necessary to switch on its network.
The growing Leo constellation is a budding rival to SpaceX's established Starlink network. Starlink currently holds a four-year head start over Amazon and has more than 10,000 satellites in its constellation.