Amazon has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to building a constellation of internet satellite in low Earth orbit , but the society has successfully deployed its first commission in an effort to compete with industry goliath SpaceX.
The Kuiper-1 missionlaunchedon Monday at 7:01 p.m. ET from Cape Canaveral in Florida . The first batch of 27 satellites was throng into a United Launch Alliance ( ULA ) Atlas V for the inauguration of the Project Kuiper configuration , which has been a long time in the qualification . “ All Kuiper-1 satellite have successfully deploy into space , ” the companywroteon X a few hours after liftoff .
The undermentioned day , Amazon confirmed that the mission is off to a good start with the satellites operate on as expected . “ We ’ve already instal contact with all 27 Kuiper satellites in arena , and initial deployment and activating sequence are proceeding as planned , ” the ship’s company harbinger .
The Atlas V rocket carrying the Kuiper-1 mission lifts off from Space Launch Complex on 8 January 2025.Image: ULA
The Kuiper satellite will orbit at an ALT between 367 and 391 miles ( 590 and 630 kilometers ) above Earth . The satellite are built with an participating actuation system , which includes a customs thruster build in - business firm and a Kr - filled propellant tank car , to combat atmospheric drag and keep planet height within 5.6 miles ( 9 km ) of target operational field .
Project Kuiper isAmazon ’s answer to Starlink , a orbiter constellation beaming down fast , affordable internet connectivity to dissimilar parts of the earthly concern . The initiative suffer several wait , with the company initially get to deploy its first satellite in early 2024 . Amazon is also under a time compaction due to a 2020authorization orderfrom the Federal Communications Commission , which stipulates that the party must launch 50 % of its Project Kuiper orbiter by 2026 , and the ease by 2029 . If it fails to suffer its deadline , Amazon will likely be forced to hold for an file name extension .
Meanwhile , SpaceX has launched more than 7,000 Starlink satellites to infinite , and is already providing high-pitched - speeding internet to 70 rural area . Unlike his place billionaire rival Elon Musk , Jeff Bezos is hoping to launch a totality of 3,200 low Earth arena artificial satellite , securing 80 upcoming launches with multiple commercial providers , including Arianespace , ULA , and Bezos ’ other space venture , Blue Origin , to spring its initial configuration .
Amazon has alreadylaunched two prototype planet , KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2 , on an Atlas V rocket in late 2023 . The mental test mission was successful , with the two planet pulling off controlled maneuvering in depleted Earth orbit . “ There ’s room for mint of succeeder there , ” Bezos said during an audience withReuters . “ I predict Starlink will continue to be successful , and I augur Kuiper will be successful as well . ”
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