Amazon Unveils Kuiper Internet Satellites: Key Insights You Need to Have

The competition in space between billionaires Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk is poised to expand into satellite internet.

Originally launched as an online bookstore three decades ago, Amazon has evolved into a merchandising powerhouse, owning the James Bond franchise and retailing electronics like the Echo smart speaker, along with being a leading provider of cloud computing services.

Thus, it’s no surprise that Amazon is rolling out the first batch of thousands of satellites under Project Kuiper, designed to provide connectivity in our modern world. The high-speed internet market from space is largely dominated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which offers a similar service. Starlink boasts a vast fleet of satellites and regularly conducts launches, serving millions globally.

The initial attempt to launch a satellite on April 9 was postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions at the launch site. The company is set to make another attempt this coming Monday.

When will it be launched and how can I watch it?

The first 27 Project Kuiper satellites are scheduled for launch on Monday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, between 7 PM and 9 PM Eastern Time. They will be lifted aboard the Atlas V rocket, developed by the United Launch Alliance—a collaboration between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

ULA plans to provide live coverage starting at 6:35 PM; the company reports a 70% chance of an on-time launch.

The rocket will place the Kuiper satellites into a circular orbit approximately 280 miles above Earth. The satellites’ propulsion systems will gradually elevate them to an orbit of 393 miles.

What is Project Kuiper?

Project Kuiper comprises a network of internet satellites designed to deliver high-speed data connections to nearly every location on Earth. To achieve this, thousands of satellites are necessary, with Amazon aiming to deploy over 3,200 within the next few years.

The project competes with SpaceX’s Starlink, which primarily caters to residential customers.

Kuiper aims to target remote areas while also integrating with Amazon Web Services, the cloud computing solution that is highly valued by large enterprises and governments worldwide. This could make it particularly appealing for businesses needing satellite imagery and weather forecasts to carry out data processing, alongside the capacity to transfer large volumes of data over the internet.

Ground stations will link the Kuiper satellites to the service infrastructure, allowing businesses to interact with their own remote devices. For instance, Amazon indicates that energy firms could leverage Kuiper to monitor and manage remote wind farms and offshore drilling operations.

In October 2023, two prototype Kuiper satellites were launched for technology testing. Amazon stated that the tests were successful, but these prototypes were not intended for long-term operational constellations; after seven months, they re-entered the atmosphere. The company noted that they have since refined the design of all systems and subsystems.

“There’s a significant difference between launching two satellites and launching 3,000 satellites,” remarked Rajeev Badyal, an Amazon executive overseeing Kuiper, in a promotional video ahead of the launch.

When will Amazon provide internet services from space?

Amazon informed the Federal Communications Commission in 2020 that the service would commence after the deployment of the initial 578 satellites. The company anticipates that customers will be able to access the internet later this year.

While a fully operational constellation requires thousands of satellites, it is feasible for the company to serve certain areas with fewer satellites initially, expanding to broader global coverage later.

The FCC’s approval for the constellation stipulates that at least half of the satellites must be launched by July 30, 2026. Industry experts suggest that if significant progress is shown by that deadline, the company could be granted an extension.

Launching a satellite also relies on the timely availability of rockets, which can present challenges if there aren’t enough launches lined up. Additionally, Amazon must construct numerous ground stations to relay signals to users.