Amazon launched the first satellites for its Internet service – Kommersant

Last Friday, October 6, Amazon launched into space the first two prototypes of space satellites, which will be part of the company’s project to deploy satellite Internet services, Project Kuiper. The launch was made from the US Space Force station at Cape Canaveral using an Atlas V launch vehicle. The prototype satellites, called Kuipersat-1 and Kuipersat-2, were launched into Earth orbit at an altitude of about 500 km. There, the company will conduct a series of tests, including testing the satellite’s systems, connecting solar panels to generate electricity, and testing the satellites’ Internet connection to a client terminal on Earth.

Amazon hopes to deploy a network of 3.2 thousand such satellites to provide uninterrupted Internet access throughout the Earth. The project of Jeff Bezos’ company should be fully launched within the next six years and become a full-fledged competitor to Starlink from Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

Previously Amazon reported, which intends to build a complex in Florida to prepare space satellites for launch. The cost of this project is estimated at $120 million. Construction is planned to be completed at the end of 2024.

Kirill Sarkhanyants