U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially granted Amazon authorization to launch an additional 4,504 satellites for its low Earth orbit (LEO) internet network.
This approval nearly doubles the company’s total authorized constellation size, bringing the planned fleet to 7,736 satellites. The expansion is a major regulatory victory for Amazon as it seeks to scale its satellite broadband service to compete directly with SpaceX’s Starlink.+1
Key Details of the New Approval
The FCC’s decision covers two new segments of the network, which Amazon recently rebranded from Project Kuiper to Amazon Leo.
| System Component | Satellite Count | Details |
| Gen2 System | 3,212 Satellites | Will operate at altitudes between 590 km and 630 km. |
| Polar System | 1,292 Satellites | Positioned at higher inclinations to improve coverage in the Arctic and Antarctic. |
| Gen1 (Previously Approved) | 3,232 Satellites | The original authorized fleet currently under deployment. |
| Total Constellation | 7,736 Satellites | The combined authorized total for Amazon Leo. |
Deployment Milestones & Deadlines
To prevent “spectrum squatting,” the FCC has imposed strict “use it or lose it” deadlines for the new satellites:
- 50% Milestone: Amazon must launch and operate half of the newly approved Gen2/Polar satellites (approx. 2,250 units) by February 10, 2032.
- 100% Milestone: The full expanded constellation must be operational by February 10, 2035.
Note on Gen1: Amazon is currently facing a separate deadline to launch 50% of its original 3,232 satellites by July 30, 2026. As of February 2026, the company has roughly 212 satellites in orbit and has filed a request for a 24-month extension to meet this target.
Technological Upgrades
In addition to more satellites, the FCC granted Amazon permission to use higher-frequency spectrum for its existing fleet:
- V-Band Spectrum: Authorization was granted for Gen1 satellites to utilize the V-band (in addition to the existing Ka-band) to increase data throughput.
- Higher Power Limits: Amazon is now authorized to operate its satellites at higher power levels within the U.S., which should improve signal reliability for ground terminals.
Launch Momentum: 2026 and Beyond
The approval coincides with a surge in Amazon’s launch activity. On February 12, 2026, Amazon successfully launched 32 satellites from French Guiana aboard the Ariane 64 rocket—the first of 18 planned missions with Arianespace.
Amazon CFO Brian Olsavsky recently confirmed the company’s aggressive roadmap:
- 2026 Target: 20 total satellite launches planned for this year.
- 2027 Target: Scaling up to 30 launches per year.
- Cape Canaveral: Launches will soon shift to United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan Centaur and Blue Origin’s New Glenn later in 2026.
