CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Amazon’s first batch of internet satellites rocketed into orbit Monday, the latest entry in the mega constellation market currently dominated by SpaceX’s thousands of Starlinks.

The United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket carried 27 of Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellites, named after the frigid fringes of our solar system beyond Neptune.

Once released in orbit, the satellites will eventually reach an altitude of nearly 400 miles.

Founded by Jeff Bezos, who now runs his own rocket company, Blue Origin, Amazon aims to put more than 3,200 of these satellites into orbit to provide fast, affordable broadband service globally. Elon Musk’s SpaceX has launched more than 8,000 Starlinks since 2019. — Associated Press