SpaceX launches Starlink products on Amazon despite Musk-Bezos space rivalry

In a somewhat surprising move, SpaceX is expanding Starlink sales to Amazon despite the well-known friction between the two companies. This move also comes at a time when Amazon recently announced Leo Ultra, a new high-performance tier for its competing satellite service that targets enterprise users with gigabit connection speeds. While SpaceX initially stayed quiet about the new listings, a support page on Starlink.com was recently updated to note that Amazon is now a US authorized retailer for the satellite internet service, joining the ranks of Best Buy, Home Depot, and Walmart.

Shoppers can now purchase specific Starlink accessories, such as the Wi-Fi router, directly from the site, with most items available for Prime overnight or one-day deliveries. A review site called DISHYTech initially spotted the official-looking Starlink store earlier this month, noting that it appears to operate through Virtual Supply. This Oregon-based third-party distributor sells a variety of consumer electronics to big box retailers and previously sold the standard Starlink dish, suggesting that more inventory could be offered over time.

The partnership is particularly interesting because SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has publicly feuded with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos for years. In 2019, Musk alleged that Bezos copied Starlink after Amazon filed for FCC clearance to launch its own competing satellite internet service, now dubbed Amazon Leo. The tension escalated in 2021 during a regulatory spat over the second-generation Starlink network when Musk mocked Bezos for stepping down as CEO, tweeting, "Turns out Besos [sic] retired in order to pursue a full-time job filing lawsuits against SpaceX."

Until now, SpaceX had steered clear of using Amazon to sell Starlink and instead opted for third-party retailers or its own official domain. SpaceX has become even more aggressive in promoting its satellite internet service in the US through various discounts and cheaper monthly plans, and this new storefront places its products directly before Amazon's massive customer base.