Amazon filed a request with the Federal Communications Commission on January 31, 2026 to extend the deadline for deploying 1,600 low‑Earth‑orbit satellites that will power its Amazon Leo broadband service by 24 months, moving the target from July 30, 2026 to July 30, 2028.
The company cited a shortage of launch vehicles and limited launch‑vehicle availability as the primary reasons for the delay, adding that manufacturing disruptions, recent launch‑vehicle failures, and spaceport capacity constraints have compounded the problem. Amazon has already launched 180 production satellites by the end of December 2025 and 212 by early February 2026, but it still needs to place 520 more satellites in orbit to meet the July 2026 milestone of 700 satellites in service.
The extension request is a significant regulatory action that could postpone the launch of Amazon’s satellite‑internet service, delaying the start of revenue generation and giving competitors like SpaceX’s Starlink a wider window to consolidate market share. Amazon’s 10‑billion‑dollar investment in the Leo constellation is intended to support AWS cloud infrastructure, drone delivery, and Prime‑membership bundling, so a delay could slow the rollout of these strategic services.
Amazon’s request reflects a broader industry challenge: launch‑vehicle shortages are affecting multiple satellite operators. By diversifying launch partners—including ULA, Arianespace, Blue Origin, and SpaceX—Amazon aims to mitigate the risk, but the current bottleneck still threatens its deployment schedule. The FCC’s decision will be closely watched, as approval would align with the agency’s goal of fostering competition and broadband expansion, while denial could result in fines or license revocation.
The request underscores the high cost of scaling a global LEO network and the importance of reliable launch cadence. Amazon’s ability to meet the extended deadline will determine whether it can compete effectively with Starlink’s already‑operational 9,000‑satellite constellation and maintain its strategic advantage in cloud and logistics services.
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