Amazon Launches Prototype Satellites to Compete with SpaceX’s Starlink
Amazon has taken a significant step towards its plans of providing global internet service with the launch of its first pair of prototype satellites for the Kuiper internet network. The satellites were successfully deployed into space from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket. This mission serves as a test for Amazon’s technology in space and paves the way for the deployment of thousands more satellites in the future.
The ultimate goal of Amazon’s Kuiper project is to offer broadband internet globally, a move that directly competes with SpaceX’s Starlink initiative. Elon Musk’s SpaceX already has nearly 5,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, making it the largest satellite operator in the world. In response, Amazon plans to deploy a total of 3,236 satellites over the next few years.
While Amazon has been tight-lipped about the specifics of its prototype satellites, they were built at the company’s satellite plant in Redmond, Washington. The launch livestream, hosted by United Launch Alliance, ended without showing the deployment of the satellites. However, Amazon later confirmed that the two satellites had been successfully deployed and contact had been made with them.
Amazon’s commitment to its Kuiper project is evident as the company plans to invest a whopping $10 billion into its satellite constellation. To comply with the requirements set by the US Federal Communications Commission, Amazon is expected to deploy half of its satellite constellation by 2026.
The space internet race is heating up, and besides SpaceX, Amazon’s competitors include Canada’s Telesat and French satellite firm Eutelsat’s OneWeb. Telesat is yet to launch satellites, while OneWeb mainly offers its internet service to governments and businesses. Amazon, like SpaceX, aims to provide internet access not only to enterprise customers but also to individual consumers.
To achieve this, Amazon plans to utilize its devices playbook by designing consumer terminals that would cost the company $400 each. However, Amazon has not yet announced the pricing details. In comparison, SpaceX’s Starlink terminals for consumers are priced at $599 each.
To expedite the deployment of the Kuiper network, Amazon announced a significant bulk launch deal last year. The deal involves 83 launches, which is hailed as the largest commercial rocket procurement ever. These launches will be carried out by various rocket companies, including Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance, and Europe’s Arianespace.
With the successful launch of its prototype satellites, Amazon has made it clear that it aims to be a major player in the global internet service market. The deployment of more satellites in the coming years will bring Amazon closer to its goal of providing broadband internet access to even the most remote parts of the world. As the competition intensifies, it will be interesting to see how Amazon’s Kuiper network fares against SpaceX’s Starlink and other players in the space.
