The race to bring internet from space just got exciting. Amazon has finally sent its first 27 Kuiper satellites into orbit after years of waiting. As the sun set in Florida, the launch kicked off a new chapter for the tech giant.
First Step in a $10 Billion Mission
The satellites soared into the sky aboard an Atlas V rocket. The launch happened at 7 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. United Launch Alliance, a Boeing and Lockheed Martin venture, handled the rocket's journey. An earlier launch attempt on 9 April was cancelled because of bad weather. These satellites are the first of 3,236 Amazon plans to deploy. The Kuiper project, first revealed in 2019, aims to beam internet worldwide. It hopes to reach homes, businesses and governments, much like SpaceX’s Starlink network.
Kuiper is Amazon’s most ambitious space project yet, valued at $10 billion. It puts Amazon in direct competition with not only Starlink but also firms like AT&T and T-Mobile. The company has highlighted its goal to improve internet in rural areas. Many communities today still lack reliable or affordable connectivity.
Tight Deadlines and Big Hopes
The launch was delayed more than a year from initial plans. Amazon had once aimed for early 2024 for this mission. Now, the pressure is on to meet a crucial FCC deadline. The company must deploy half its constellation—1,618 satellites — by mid-2026. Analysts suggest Amazon may request an extension due to the slower start. Hours or days after launch, Amazon is expected to confirm contact. The mission operations center in Redmond, Washington, will manage the satellites. If all goes well, the company plans to start service later this year.
ULA could launch up to five more Kuiper missions before year-end. ULA CEO Tory Bruno said this in an interview earlier this month. In a 2020 filing, Amazon said initial service could begin after 578 satellites. Early service will first cover parts of the northern and southern regions. Coverage will then expand towards the equator with more launches.
A Fierce Battle for Space Internet
Project Kuiper marks Amazon’s serious push into the satellite market. Though a latecomer, Amazon hopes its cloud services will offer an advantage. The Kuiper system will connect with Amazon’s powerful web infrastructure. Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, already has a head start. SpaceX has launched over 8,000 Starlink satellites since 2019. On Monday, it celebrated its 250th Starlink mission.
Starlink’s rapid pace allows for one launch nearly every week. This has helped Starlink attract over 5 million users in 125 countries. It also made strong inroads with military and national security programmes. Despite this, Jeff Bezos remains confident about Kuiper’s future. He told Reuters in January that there is “insatiable demand” for internet. Bezos added he believes both Starlink and Kuiper will thrive. He noted that low-Earth orbit constellations would also have defence uses.
In 2023, Amazon showcased its Kuiper terminals to the world. The devices, resembling a vinyl record and a Kindle, are designed for customers. Amazon plans to produce millions of these terminals for under $400 each.
To prepare for deployment, Amazon secured 83 launches from global partners. United Launch Alliance, Arianespace, and Blue Origin, Bezos’ space firm, signed deals. It became the biggest commercial rocket contract ever made in the industry.
(Inputs From Reuters)
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