Full Deployment of Amazon’s Satellite Network Begins
Amazon has announced it will launch the first 27 satellites for its Project Kuiper internet network next week. This marks the start of its ambitious plan to build a satellite constellation to compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink system.
The mission, named “Kuiper Atlas 1”, is scheduled for 9 April at noon EDT (1600 GMT). The launch will take place at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. An Atlas 5 rocket from United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, will carry the satellites into orbit.
This launch kicks off Amazon’s large-scale deployment of Kuiper, a network aiming to include over 3,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit. The system is designed to provide high-speed internet access across the globe.
Key Milestone for Amazon’s Space Efforts
Rajeev Badyal, vice president of Amazon’s Kuiper project, noted that this mission is an important step. “We’ve done extensive testing on the ground to prepare, but there are things you only learn in flight,” he said.
This launch is the first time Amazon will fly its final satellite design and deploy so many satellites at once. Badyal added that regardless of the outcome, this mission sets the foundation for future progress. “We have everything in place to learn and adapt as we continue launching in the years ahead,” he said.
Project Kuiper was first announced in 2019, with Amazon pledging a $10 billion investment. The company brought in engineers who previously worked on Starlink before being dismissed by Musk in 2018.
Starlink’s Lead and Amazon’s Strategy
Since then, SpaceX has surged ahead, placing about 8,000 Starlink satellites into orbit. The system now serves more than five million users in 125 countries. Its secure communication capabilities have drawn interest from military and intelligence sectors.
Amazon, while slower to launch, believes its experience in cloud services and consumer technology gives it an advantage. It aims to leverage this strength in producing consumer terminals—pizza box-sized devices that connect with Kuiper satellites.
In 2022, Amazon booked 83 launches with ULA, France’s Arianespace, and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. The agreement marked the industry’s largest launch deal. Two prototype Kuiper satellites were launched in 2023, with Amazon calling the tests successful.
with inputs from Reuters