Amazon has launched the first pair of prototype satellites for its planned Kuiper internet network.

The two satellites, launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, are the first of thousands of planned low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites for the internet service planned to rival SpaceX’s Starlink. Amazon has said it plans to deploy 3,236 additional satellites capable of delivering high-speed internet to poorly connected areas, with SpaceX currently operating nearly 5,000 satellites.

Following the launch on Thursday hosted by the Boeing-Lockheed joint venture United Launch Alliance, Amazon said that the two satellites were deployed and its mission operations centre had made contact with them.

Amazon has pledged to invest $10 billion into the Kuiper project announced in 2019, with US Federal Communications Commission requirements necessitating the deployment of half its planned constellation by 2026. The company last year announced a bulk launch deal for 83 launches from various rocket companies including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin.

Once established, Kuiper will provide direct competition to Starlink by offering individual consumers and enterprise customers with consumer satellite internet terminals. The Kuiper terminals cost around $400 to the company, though Amazon is yet to announce pricing structure.

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