SpaceX and Amazon Escalate Space Race with September Cape Launches

SpaceX is set to launch 28 new Starlink satellites aboard Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral on September 18 at 5:30am, further reinforcing its lead in global satellite broadband.

This puts the Starlink constellation well over 8,000 active satellites—with service already available in 70 countries and expanding rapidly across North America and beyond. The reusable Falcon 9 booster is targeting a precise return to the Cape, maintaining the company’s high launch rate and cost efficiency.

Later in September -- September 24 at 8:00pm -- United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket will deploy Amazon’s next batch of Project Kuiper satellites. Amazon’s Kuiper system, still in early deployment, has exceeded 100 active satellites but aims for over 3,200 by 2029 to challenge Starlink’s dominance. Its newest payload rolls out the KA-03 batch, as Amazon pushes to meet FCC deadlines and expand market reach.

Both companies are fighting for a decisive edge in satellite internet coverage, speed, price, and technology. Airlines are now signing contracts for in-flight WiFi using these networks—JetBlue just selected Kuiper beginning in 2027, while Starlink already powers connectivity for United, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France.

This month’s launches mark a pivotal moment in the battle for global connectivity. The stakes: bringing reliable, high-speed internet to hard-to-reach communities, remote workforces, and future 6G infrastructure. The winner is far from decided, but SpaceX’s aggressive launch schedule and Amazon’s rapid technical progress continue to push the frontier at Cape Canaveral.

To watch these and more launches in September, visit Rocket Launch Schedule & Countdown | Space Coast