Amazon is taking its first major step in the satellite internet race by launching its first 27 low-Earth orbit satellites as part of Project Kuiper into space. The launch is scheduled for April 9, between 12pm and 3pm EDT.
Project Kuiper, Amazon’s own low Earth orbit satellite broadband network with the goal of deploying 3,236 satellites, will be launching its first batch of 27 satellites on the KA-01 (Kuiper Atlas 1) mission aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on April 9, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The initiative behind Project Kuiper lies in its potential to deliver fast, affordable broadband to unserved and underserved communities. The satellites will be orbiting at 590 km to 630 km of the earth’s surface, which would allow it for an internet connection with low latency and high-speed internet suitable for activities like video calls, high-definition streaming, and gaming.
To ensure a successful launch of the project and worldwide coverage, Amazon secured 80 launch mission agreements with different satellite internet providers like Arianespace, Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance (ULA).
The broadband service is speculated to work with a 7-inch satellite dish, smaller than Starlink’s recently released “Mini” dish, and capable of delivering up to 100 Mbps data speed. On a bigger dish size, it will be able to deliver 1Gbps internet speed, which would be more suitable for larger workloads/downloads and in supporting multiple users. The terminals are speculated to be sold at under $400, making them relatively affordable.
To test-run the project, Amazon had previously launched two satellites, KuiperSat1 and KuiperSat2, into space in October 2023. The tests were deemed successful, as the satellites were able to provide a data speed of up to 100 Gbps.
In December 2023, Amazon added a new technology: laser cross-links (which form its mesh network), which allows the satellites to communicate with each other without needing ground stations to relay signals and gives a 30% faster data speed than traditional fiber optic cables.
Kuiper’s first launch on April 9 will be the heaviest payload yet for the Atlas V, which will be configured to fly at its most powerful configuration. The rocket will include 5 additional solid rocket boosters (aside from the main ones), and with its payload firing at 77 ft high and 16.4ft wide.
In response to what to expect during the launch, Rajeev Badyal, Project Kuiper’s vice president, wrote, “We’ve done extensive testing on the ground to prepare for this first mission, but there are some things you can only learn in flight, and this will be the first time we’ve flown our final satellite design and the first time we’ve deployed so many satellites at once.”
Amazon’s goal is to have a fleet of over 10,000 LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites once the project is complete, which is way above the current 7000 satellite constellation of Starlink SpaceX. Project Kuiper is setting the stage for a significant shift in the satellite internet industry, and the industry is set for increased competition, giving room for more options and improved services to choose from.
