Amazon has received the green light from U.S. regulators to significantly expand its satellite internet ambitions, bringing it a step closer to competing head-to-head with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Tuesday approved Amazon’s request to deploy 4,500 additional low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The decision raises the total size of Amazon’s planned constellation to about 7,700 satellites under its Project Leo initiative.
The FCC said Amazon must launch half of the newly approved satellites by February 2032 and the rest by February 2035.
So far, Amazon has launched more than 150 satellites since April, working with several rocket providers. The company says it aims to begin offering satellite-based internet service later this year.
The expansion comes as Amazon races to meet another regulatory requirement: deploying 1,600 first-generation satellites by July 2026. The company recently asked the FCC to extend that deadline to 2028, or waive it entirely, arguing that rocket shortages and launch bottlenecks have slowed progress. Regulators have yet to decide.
In filings, Amazon said it is manufacturing satellites faster than launch providers can carry them into orbit, highlighting a growing strain on global rocket capacity.
The newly approved satellites will form part of Amazon’s second-generation system, operating at altitudes of up to about 400 miles above Earth. They are designed to support additional frequency bands and expand coverage to more regions.
Project Leo represents Amazon’s $10 billion bet on space-based broadband, positioning the company as a major challenger to SpaceX’s Starlink network. Starlink currently operates more than 9,000 satellites and serves an estimated 9 million customers worldwide.
Amazon said in its latest earnings report that it expects to invest another $1 billion into the satellite program this year. The company has more than 20 launches planned in 2026 and over 30 scheduled for 2027.
Its next mission is slated for later this week, when an Arianespace rocket is expected to send 32 additional satellites into orbit. Amazon has secured 17 further launches with the French provider.
As competition intensifies in the fast-growing satellite internet market, Amazon’s expanded approval underscores its determination to carve out a meaningful share of a sector widely viewed as crucial for connecting remote and underserved communities around the world.
