Amazon’s First Batch of Internet Satellites Launch Successfully
Amazon’s first batch of Internet satellites, part of its Project Kuiper, successfully launched into orbit on Monday. This marks the latest entry in the growing market dominated by SpaceX’s Starlinks.
The United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket carried 27 of Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellites, named after the frigid fringes of our solar system beyond Neptune. Once in orbit, these satellites will reach an altitude of nearly 630 kilometers.
Two test satellites were launched in 2023, also by an Atlas V. Project officials reported major upgrades to the newest version. The latest satellites are coated with a mirror film to scatter reflected sunlight, accommodating astronomers.
Stargazers oppose the fast-growing constellations of low-orbiting satellites, arguing they spoil observations. Others fear more satellite collisions.
Founded by Jeff Bezos, who now runs his own rocket company, Blue Origin, Amazon aims to put more than 3,200 of these satellites into orbit to provide fast, affordable broadband service around the globe.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has already launched more than 8,000 Starlinks since 2019. The company marked its 250th Starlink launch Sunday night. More than 7,000 Starlinks are still in orbit some 550 kilometers above Earth.
The European-based OneWeb satellite constellation numbers in the hundreds in an even higher orbit.
Amazon has already purchased dozens of rocket launches from United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin for Project Kuiper, as well as others.
“Even though extensive testing has been done on the ground, there are some things you can only learn in flight,” said Rajeev Badyal, the project’s vice-president. “No matter how the mission unfolds, this is just the start of our journey.”
The first liftoff attempt earlier this month was canceled due to bad weather. It took until now to secure another spot in the launch lineup at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Reference : https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/amazon-launches-first-internet-satellites-to-compete-with-spacex-s-starlink-125042900065_1.html
