Amazon is rapidly advancing its Project Kuiper, a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband initiative, by preparing to launch a pair of prototype satellites. This development is a significant step toward making “affordable broadband” accessible to a broader global audience.
The company has also confirmed that its first production satellites are scheduled for launch in the first half of 2024, with select early commercial customers having the opportunity to participate in the beta testing program by the end of next year.
Under Project Kuiper, Amazon plans to deploy over 3,200 satellites in low Earth orbit to provide Internet connectivity to ground-based terminals within the next six years.
Elon Musk’s Starlink, a competing LEO satellite broadband project, already has approximately 5,000 satellites in low Earth orbit and has begun providing services to residential and commercial customers.
Rajeev Badyal, Vice President of Technology for Project Kuiper, emphasized the importance of real-world testing after years of laboratory-based experiments, stating, “This is Amazon’s first time putting satellites into space, and we’re going to learn an incredible amount regardless of how the mission unfolds.”
Amazon will rely on an Atlas V rocket provided by United Launch Alliance (ULA) to send its initial pair of satellites into orbit at an altitude of 500km, which is approximately 50km lower than Starlink’s satellites.
The Protoflight mission aims to conduct real-world testing of LEO broadband satellites, customer terminals, and a ground-based communication network. This includes establishing communication with the satellites, deploying solar arrays for power generation, and extensive data testing with ground-based hardware.
Amazon has committed to actively deorbit both satellites at the conclusion of the mission, ensuring their safe re-entry and incineration in Earth’s atmosphere.
While the exact pricing for Amazon’s LEO broadband service has yet to be confirmed, Starlink currently offers residential setups at a monthly cost of $120 / £75 / AU$139, along with a one-time payment of $599 / £449 / AU$599 to cover the receiver and other hardware expenses.
