Amazon announces that it will borrow the power of rival SpaceX to launch the satellite internet 'Project Kuiper'



Amazon is building a satellite internet service ` ` Project Kuiper '' that will make it possible to provide broadband communication to 95% of all humanity using more than 3,000 artificial satellites . In February 2023 , we received approval for our satellite launch plan from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the U.S. telecommunications regulator , and we are partnering with aerospace companies such as Arianespace, Blue Origin, and United Launch Alliance to launch 77 satellites. They also announced that they had signed a rocket launch contract . Following this, Amazon has also announced that it has signed a rocket launch contract with SpaceX, which also provides satellite internet services.

Amazon's Project Kuiper secures 3 launches with SpaceX
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/amazon-project-kuiper-spacex-launch



Amazon to Hire Rival SpaceX to Launch Internet Satellites - Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-01/amazon-contracts-rival-spacex-to-launch-internet-satellites

Amazon strikes deal with SpaceX for three Kuiper satellite launches
https://www.geekwire.com/2023/amazon-deal-spacex-kuiper-satellite-launches/

A bitter pill: Amazon calls on rival SpaceX to launch Internet satellites | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/12/a-bitter-pill-amazon-calls-on-rival-spacex-to-launch-internet-satellites/

On December 2, 2023 local time, Amazon launched a Falcon reusable rocket into low Earth orbit (LEO) to receive support for the deployment plan of Project Kuiper, a satellite broadband network using artificial satellites . We announced that we have signed a contract with SpaceX to launch three 9s . The satellites used in Project Kuiper have been designed from the beginning to be compatible with different launch vehicles, so there are no technical concerns. Additionally, contracting with SpaceX reduces schedule risks for deployment plans. In addition, Amazon said, ``The 77 heavy-lift rockets procured from Arianespace, Blue Origin, and United Launch Alliance provide sufficient capacity to launch Amazon's satellites, so the additional contract with SpaceX is It is provided to support our deployment schedule.'

In addition, on October 27, 2022, David Limp, senior vice president of devices and services at Amazon, appeared on a live broadcast of Washington Post Live and said that it is possible to use SpaceX rockets to launch artificial satellites. It hinted at sex.

Amazon suggests the possibility of relying on rival SpaceX to launch satellite internet service ``Project Kuiper'' - GIGAZINE



SpaceX's Falcon 9 reusable rocket is a two-stage launch vehicle designed to reliably and safely transport people and payloads to Earth orbit and beyond. The launch has been successful. Amazon has a contract for three Falcon 9 launches, with launches scheduled to begin in mid-2025.

Project Kuiper successfully launched two prototype satellites in October 2023, and the United Launch Alliance rocket Atlas V was in charge of the launch at this time. This launch is used to verify the design of prototype satellites to withstand activities in outer space and to verify network architecture. Project Kuiper's satellite launch will begin in earnest in the first half of 2024, and Amazon explained that it is preparing to start manufacturing the satellite ahead of this. It is expected that enough satellites will be deployed to provide Project Kuiper pilot services to customers in the second half of 2024.

Foreign media Bloomberg has contacted SpaceX about the rocket launch contract with Amazon, but no comments have been received at the time of article creation. However, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter), ``SpaceX will launch competitors' satellites without giving priority to launching its own satellites. Fairly.''




Amazon originally planned to launch Project Kuiper's satellite as early as the fourth quarter of 2022, but a series of test failures and problems with its rocket launch partners continued to delay the satellite launch. I was there.

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