Amazon’s $11 Billion space gamble

Amazon is officially turning up the heat on SpaceX. In a strategic move to close the gap with Starlink, the tech giant announced a massive $11.57 billion acquisition of Globalstar on Tuesday.

The deal is a clear play for infrastructure. By absorbing Globalstar the network currently famous for powering Apple’s emergency SOS features Amazon gains immediate access to an established satellite fleet. While Amazon’s own “Project Kuiper” is still in its early days with about 200 satellites, this acquisition provides a much-needed boost toward their goal of launching 3,200 units by 2029.

Despite the move, the scale of the challenge remains immense. Elon Musk’s Starlink is the undisputed heavyweight, boasting roughly 10,000 satellites and over 9 million users. Amazon is betting billions that Globalstar’s assets will be the engine that finally helps them compete in the high-stakes race for global satellite internet.