Amazon Launches First Kuiper Satellites to Compete With Starlink
- tech360.tv
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Amazon launched the first 27 satellites for its Project Kuiper broadband internet network on Monday, marking the start of its USD 10 billion plan to rival SpaceX’s Starlink.
The satellites were launched aboard an Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance at 7 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, after bad weather delayed an earlier attempt on April 9.
Project Kuiper aims to deploy 3,236 satellites into low-Earth orbit to deliver global broadband internet to consumers, businesses and governments, particularly in rural areas with limited connectivity.
Amazon must deploy at least 1,618 satellites by mid-2026 to meet a U.S. Federal Communications Commission deadline. Analysts expect the company may seek an extension due to the delayed start.
Amazon plans to confirm initial contact with the satellites from its mission operations centre in Redmond, Washington, within hours or days of launch. If successful, the company expects to begin customer service later this year.
United Launch Alliance could conduct up to five more Kuiper missions in 2024, according to CEO Tory Bruno. Amazon previously stated it could begin service in some northern and southern regions once 578 satellites are in orbit.
Amazon launched two prototype satellites in 2023, which were de-orbited in 2024 after successful tests. The company had remained quiet about the programme until announcing this launch earlier in April.
Amazon Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos expressed confidence in Kuiper’s potential, citing strong demand for internet services and saying both Kuiper and Starlink can succeed in the growing market.
SpaceX has launched more than 8,000 Starlink satellites since 2019 and now serves over 5 million users in 125 countries. The company conducts at least one Starlink mission per week.
Amazon revealed its Kuiper consumer terminals in 2023, including a vinyl record-sized antenna and a smaller version similar in size to a Kindle device. The company plans to produce tens of millions of these terminals for under USD 400 each.
In 2022, Amazon secured 83 rocket launches from ULA, Arianespace and Blue Origin, marking the largest launch deal in the industry as it prepared for Kuiper’s deployment.
Amazon launched 27 Kuiper satellites to begin global broadband rollout
Project Kuiper aims to deploy 3,236 satellites by mid-2026
Service could begin later in 2024, starting with 578 satellites
Source: REUTERS
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