On Tuesday, Amazon announced launching its first-ever internet satellites into space. The company aims to make initial commercial tests available shortly after the first half of 2024. This move positions Amazon to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX and other companies in offering broadband internet services globally.
According to the company’s statement, Project Kuiper, Amazon’s satellite internet unit, will start mass-producing satellites later this year. These will be the first of more than 3,000 satellites that Amazon plans to send into low-Earth orbit over the next few years.
Dave Limp, the Senior Vice President of Amazon Devices, shared this news during a press conference.
“We’ll definitely be beta testing with commercial customers in 2024,”
Amazon is moving forward with its plan to launch half of its entire Kuiper network, consisting of 3,236 satellites, by 2026, and the company is on track to meet this regulatory requirement by deploying its first internet satellites in space in 2024. Dave Limp, in charge of Amazon’s consumer devices, said the company would produce “three to five” satellites daily to reach this goal.
With an investment of over $10 billion in the Kuiper network, Amazon believes that its extensive experience producing millions of devices from its consumer electronics department gives it an edge over its main competitor, SpaceX. SpaceX already has about 4,000 satellites in space with its Starlink network.
To make this happen, Amazon plans to launch a pair of prototype satellites using a new rocket from the Boeing-Lockheed joint venture, United Launch Alliance, in early 2023. The 2024 launch, which will carry the initial production satellites, will be the first of many more launches in a rapid deployment campaign, using rockets that Amazon has procured in 2021 and 2022. These are exciting times for Amazon as the company continues to explore new frontiers and expand its technological capabilities.
The company also unveiled three terminals to link customers to its Kuiper satellites orbiting in space. These terminals will be key in bringing high-speed internet to customers.
The “standard customer terminal,” is an 11-inch square antenna that will cost Amazon less than $400 to manufacture. It will provide internet speeds of up to 400 megabits per second for customers. It will cater to those who need a reliable internet connection but not requiring the highest speeds.
The most cost-effective terminal will be a square-shaped mobile antenna, 7 inches wide and weighing 1 lb. The company did not reveal the price, but most likely, it will be a cost-effective solution.
Another option is designed for enterprise, government, and telecommunications applications, with 19 by 30 inches. It will produce internet speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second.
These terminals are essential to Amazon’s Kuiper network, which aims to provide people with affordable, high-speed internet access.
Today, we’re excited to share a first look at our 3 customer antennas for Project Kuiper, Amazon’s forthcoming low Earth orbit satellite network. Good progress in our mission to bring satellite broadband to unserved & underserved communities. https://t.co/w938BzCAdG
— Andy Jassy (@ajassy) March 14, 2023
