Amazon's Project Kuiper launches prototypes for global Internet access

Tags: Science and Technology

Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN.O) successfully launched its first two prototype satellites, KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2, into low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 500 kilometers (311 miles) as part of the "Protoflight" mission of Project Kuiper.

An Overview of the News

• The launch was performed using a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, United States.

About Project Kuiper:

• Project Kuiper is a satellite system composed of satellites operating in LEO at altitudes between 590 and 630 kilometers (about 367 to 391 miles).

• Its primary objective is to provide fast and affordable internet access to over 10 million underserved communities globally.

• The project plans to deploy 3,236 satellites, spaced carefully to minimize overlap.

Launch Agreements and Partnerships:

• Amazon has partnered with three commercial space companies - Arianespace, Blue Origin, and United Launch Alliance - to facilitate satellite launches.

• These companies will launch 83 rockets to deploy the Kuiper satellites.

• The project represents the largest commercial procurement of space launch services in history.

Important Points:

• Project Kuiper faces competition from SpaceX's Starlink project, which shares the same goal of providing global Internet coverage through a satellite constellation.

• Amazon.com, Inc. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States, it is led by Chairman and CEO Andy Jassy and was founded in 1994.

• The project's launch agreements include 38 launches on ULA's Vulcan Centaur rocket, 18 launches on Arianespace's Ariane 6 rocket, and 12 launches on Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, with an option for 15 additional launches.