Amazon wants to join the effort of providing internet from space. The company will soon launch its first internet satellites in 2022. Here’s all about the two prototype satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper.
Amazon to soon send internet satellites to space
While Amazon dominates the online retail markets, it plans to sell you the source-the internet itself. By the end of next year, Amazon’s Project Kuiper will launch two satellites that can beam internet to earth from space. According to Amazon, it plans to send the satellites into orbit. This will help the online conglomerate in finetuning launch procedures and satellite designs. Amazon is only about 2,000 or so satellites behind SpaceX’s Starlink network.
“We’ve invented lots of new technology to meet our cost and performance targets for Project Kuiper. All of the systems are testing well in simulated and lab settings, and we’ll soon be ready to see how they perform in space,” stated Rajeev Badyal. Badyal is the Vice President of Technology for Project Kuiper. “There is no substitute for on-orbit testing, and we expect to learn a lot given the complexity and risk of operating in such a challenging environment,” he added.
More on Amazon’s Project Kuiper
Project Kuiper’s satellites-KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2 have technology and systems that are made for atmospheric demise. Amazon is launching them into the earth’s low orbit with ABL Space Systems, a rocket startup. While these are the first two, Amazon plans to launch a total of 3,236 satellites to complete the Project Kuiper constellation. The firm’s main aim is to provide affordable and fast internet to communities across the planet. Their long-term initiative can aid in improving the internet facilities.
Additionally, Amazon agreed to be responsible. They are designing the system to help in protecting operating both on and around Earth’s orbit. “Kuiper’s mission to bring high-speed, low-latency broadband service to underserved communities is highly motivating for our team here at ABL,” said Harry O’Hanley. O’Hanley, the Chief Executive Officer of ABL Space Systems. “Amazon will play a central role in the next generation of space infrastructure. And, we’re proud to have been selected as their launch partner for these critical early flights,” he added.