Amazon will be collaborating with one of its major rivals to bring internet satellites of its Project Kuiper to space.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 07: Amazon’s description of Project Kuiper, an initiative to build a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation capable of providing reliable, affordable broadband service to unserved and underserved communities around the world, is displayed on a screen at CES 2023 at Venetian Expo on January 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 08 and features about 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to more than 100,000 attendees.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 To Bring Project Kuiper Internet Satellites to Space
With this, Amazon has bought three launches of the Falcon 9 to support its Project Kuiper mega-constellations deployment. This deal comes two months after the revelation that Amazon was dealing with a lawsuit after deciding not to consider SpaceX, the world's most reliable rocket company, during its first launch contract rounds. These three Falcon 9 launches are set to deploy in mid-2025.
The Falcon 9 is a two-stage and reusable launch vehicle developed for safe and reliable transport of payloads and people to and beyond Earth orbit. To date, it has already accomplished over 270 successful launches.
While both companies share a certain degree of rivalry, it is unsurprising how Amazon chose SpaceX to provide its launches. Government agencies and satellite firms have become more reliant on the reusable rockets of SpaceX for cheaper and consistent launches.
In fact, in just the first six months of the year, SpaceX could power 88% of flights.
Aside from this, Amazon has also purchased up to 77 launch capacities from other firms, including Blue Origin (also owned by Jeff Bezos), Arianespace, and the United Launch Alliance. These are expected to cost billions of dollars.
With the additional launches of the Falcon 9, Amazon will gain greater capacity to support its deployment schedule.
Amazon's Project Kuiper
Project Kuiper is Amazon's low-Earth orbit satellite program that may eventually offer internet connectivity to users all over the planet. These internet satellites were initially designed to handle several launch vehicles and providers, allowing Amazon to reduce the risk in schedule and achieve its mission faster.
Its first two test satellites were deployed to space last October. Back then, it could connect to the internet and perform a two-way video call. With this, Project Kuiper was also reported to reach a 100% success rate during its Protoflight mission.
However, the project has a long way to go to catch up with SpaceX's Starlink, which has already launched roughly 5,000 satellites.
Amazon's deal with SpaceX serves as the latest shift in the former's strategy as Amazon aims to bring Kuiper to outer space in time to adhere to federal regulations. According to the Federal Communication Commission rules, Amazon should have deployed half of the 3,236 satellites it plans to deploy by July 2026.
RELATED ARTICLE: ULA, Blue Origin, Arianespace Confirm Amazon's Project Kuiper Constellation Is on Track Despite Development Delays
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