TECHNOLOGY · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
SpaceX Launches First Starlink V3 Satellites on Starship Amid Amazon's Launch Setbacks
WHY IT MATTERS
The successful deployment could expand global broadband coverage and intensify competition in the space‑internet market, while Amazon’s delays highlight the challenges of building a rival service.
What happened
SpaceX is preparing for a high‑profile launch today that will carry its first batch of 26 Starlink V3 satellites aboard the Starship rocket, marking the company’s first attempt to place Starship into Earth orbit. The new satellites promise significant upgrades to the expanding Starlink constellation.
The mission comes as Amazon faces ongoing setbacks with its launch partners, keeping its Leo satellite program grounded and pushing the company further behind its goal of offering a competitive space‑based internet service.
The launch will be closely watched by Amazon, which has not had a successful launch in twelve weeks.
PRIMARY SOURCES
SpaceX preps next-gen Starlink as Amazon’s competitor stalls
The Verge · Jess Weatherbed · Discovery only; Vox Media copyright terms apply
CORRECTIONS & UPDATES
- Revision 1 · Initial ingestion · Sep 28, 2026, 12:16 PM
- Revision 2 · Source update detected · Sep 28, 2026, 12:16 PM