SpaceX has reached a major milestone in its pursuit of global satellite internet coverage, successfully completing its 250th Starlink mission. This accomplishment, achieved with the launch of 23 satellites from Cape Canaveral, highlights the rapid growth of SpaceX’s internet constellation—an achievement that contrasts sharply with the slow progress of Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which has yet to launch its first satellite.
SpaceX’s 250th Mission: A New Era in Satellite Broadband
On Sunday night, SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket, carrying 23 Starlink satellites, including 13 equipped with direct-to-cell capabilities. The launch occurred at 10:09 pm EDT (Monday 7:39 am IST), marking a significant leap forward for SpaceX’s expanding Starlink network.
The Falcon 9 rocket completed the mission with remarkable efficiency. Approximately eight minutes after launch, the rocket’s first stage landed vertically on SpaceX’s drone ship, “Just Read the Instructions,” in the Atlantic Ocean. This was the 20th successful landing for the Falcon 9, with 13 of those missions dedicated to deploying Starlink satellites.
Once the rocket’s upper stage completed its task, all 23 satellites were successfully deployed into low Earth orbit (LEO), contributing to the rapid expansion of Starlink’s global broadband coverage.
A Growing Satellite Constellation
Sunday’s mission wasn’t just another launch for SpaceX—it was a continuation of the company’s aggressive pace in deploying Starlink satellites. The launch marked SpaceX’s 48th Falcon 9 flight of 2025, and the 31st dedicated to expanding the Starlink constellation. As of now, more than 7,200 operational satellites are orbiting Earth, delivering high-speed internet to millions of customers worldwide.
Since its first dedicated Starlink launch in May 2019, SpaceX has deployed over 8,400 satellites across 250 missions. These satellites have drastically reduced mission costs by reusing rocket boosters and fairings, a strategy that has allowed the company to scale its network quickly and affordably.
The Starlink network now serves over 5 million customers, with SpaceX planning to launch around 12,000 satellites over the coming years. This massive constellation will continue to offer high-speed broadband internet to underserved and remote areas globally.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper: Progress Yet to Be Seen
While SpaceX continues to dominate the satellite broadband market, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, its own ambitious satellite internet venture, remains in the early stages. Despite Amazon’s promises to provide global internet coverage, Project Kuiper has yet to launch a single satellite.
In contrast to SpaceX’s successful and efficient deployment model, Project Kuiper has faced delays, raising questions about its ability to compete with Starlink in the coming years. As of now, Amazon has only been awarded the necessary regulatory approvals, but the project has yet to launch any of its planned satellites into orbit.
Amazon’s CEO, Andy Jassy, has spoken about the transformative potential of Project Kuiper, aiming to connect underserved communities across the globe. However, with no tangible progress so far, the project lags far behind SpaceX’s established Starlink network, which has already been operational for several years.
The Implications for Global Connectivity
The success of Starlink presents a unique advantage for SpaceX in the race for satellite-based internet. The expanding network is crucial for connecting remote and rural areas that traditionally lack reliable internet infrastructure. SpaceX’s ability to offer broadband speeds comparable to traditional terrestrial networks at competitive prices could change the global internet landscape.
Meanwhile, Amazon’s Project Kuiper faces an uphill battle in catching up. The project’s delays and lack of tangible progress could allow SpaceX to solidify its lead in the satellite internet market for years to come.
As the competition heats up, the real winner will be global connectivity. Both SpaceX and Amazon have the potential to bridge the digital divide, but SpaceX’s proven ability to launch and operate its Starlink network puts it in a strong position to lead the way.
