Amazon is preparing for the launch of its first set of 27 Project Kuiper satellites, aimed at providing global broadband internet access. The launch is set for next week, with plans already in place for 80 total missions, each designed to deploy a significant number of satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO). This initiative is positioned to rival Elon Musk’s Starlink network, and the company anticipates that it will begin delivering high-speed, low-latency internet service by the end of this year.
The upcoming launch, designated the KA-01 mission, will take place from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida using an Atlas V rocket provided by United Launch Alliance. The launch is scheduled for 12 PM ET on Wednesday, April 9th, pending favorable weather and technical conditions. Amazon’s Project Kuiper is partnering with various companies for this venture, including Arianespace, Blue Origin, and SpaceX.
Once operational, Amazon’s space internet service aims to provide coverage from nearly any location worldwide. Users will be required to set up terminal antennas to connect to the satellite network. In 2023, Amazon announced that its entry-level dish, measuring seven inches square and weighing one pound, would deliver speeds up to 100Mbps, serving as a competitor to the Starlink Mini. For residential and enterprise clients, Amazon plans to offer larger dishes capable of achieving speeds of up to 1Gbps. The company intends to manufacture the satellite terminals at a cost of less than $400 each, potentially offering subsidies to increase accessibility.
The proposed satellite system will ultimately consist of over 3,200 satellites operating at speeds of 17,000 mph (27,359 km/h) at an altitude of 392 miles (630 km) above Earth, completing an orbit every 90 minutes. In comparison, the SpaceX Starlink constellation currently boasts more than 7,000 LEO satellites, with its first deployment occurring in 2019.
The satellites for the KA-01 mission feature a unique dielectric mirror film designed specifically for Project Kuiper, which scatters sunlight and makes them less detectable by ground-based telescopes, according to Amazon.
While Amazon previously launched two prototype satellites, the upcoming mission introduces new challenges and risks. “We’ve carried out comprehensive ground testing in preparation for this mission, but certain insights can only be gained through actual flight. This will mark the first deployment of our final satellite design and the first instance of launching so many satellites together,” remarked Rajeev Badyal, vice president of Project Kuiper.
“Regardless of how this mission progresses, we view it as the beginning of our journey. We are equipped to learn from this experience and adapt as we plan for future launches in the coming years.”
