Increasing competition in satellite internet as SpaceX's Starlink rival, Kuiper, edges closer to its next deployment
Hey There!
Amazon's got another round of Project Kuiper satellites primed for launch as they eye SpaceX's Starlink service to offer broadband internet across the globe. But, still got a stretched-out journey ahead before giving Starlink a run for its money.
The tech titan's aiming for takeoff next week, with a launch scheduled for June 16, at 1:25 p.m. EDT (1725 UTC). KA-02 mission, as it's called, will see 27 internet satellites hitch a ride on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket, taking off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Seven weeks ago marked the first Project Kuiper launch, which also launched 27 satellites[1][3][5].
Rajeev Badyal, Project Kuiper's vice president, commented after the initial launch, stating, "We've engineered some of the most advanced comm satellites ever built, and each launch means more capacity and coverage to our network."
SpaceX launched its Starlink internet satellites six years back and counts over 7,000 of them whizzing around low-Earth orbit, providing broadband to over 5 million customers globally[5].
Project Kuiper plans an initial constellation of over 3,200 satellites, requiring more than 80 missions[5]. To reach this goal, Amazon's mapped out a busy launch plan, with at least six satellite releases on ULA's Atlas V rocket, over 38 on ULA's Vulcan Centaur rocket, and plenty more with Arianespace and Blue Origin[5]. SpaceX's go-to Falcon 9 rocket might chip in alongside.
Amazon hopes for a pre-year-end launch of a speedy, low-latency satellite-powered internet service, with just 1,000 satellites needed for global coverage[5]. Expanding the constellation to the targeted 3,200 satellites will bolster network performance and reliability for subscribers[5].
[1] https://www.ULArocks.com/launch/anas157[3] https://www.Space-track.org/basicspacedetails/internet/65022[5] https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/amazon-dreams-of-space-internet-dominance/news-story/e38939c0b01ea57eb056283de9c0e4a1
The ambitious project of Amazon's Project Kuiper, aimed at providing global broadband internet, is closely following the strides made by SpaceX's Starlink in space-and-astronomy. To achieve this goal, technology will play a crucial role, as Amazon plans to utilize various rockets like the United Launch Alliance's Atlas V and Vulcan Centaur, Arianespace, and Blue Origin, along with the potential contribution from SpaceX's Falcon 9. In the realm of finance, Amazon's investment in science and technology is substantial, aiming to launch over 3,200 satellites, requiring more than 80 missions, to create a highly capable and reliable network.
