Amazon bought the first 9 rockets to launch satellites. They are needed for a fast Internet

In mid-April 2021, Amazon ordered the first nine Atlas 5 rockets from the United Launch Alliance (ULA) to send its Project Kuiper satellites into space. They are needed to provide access to the Internet in hard-to-reach regions, which are practically devoid of other network opportunities. This is Amazon's first agreement to launch satellites into Earth orbit.

The company refused to disclose the timing of its deal with ULA, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. However, Amazon should launch half of the satellites into low Earth orbit by July 2026 in accordance with the terms of the license. All other satellites should be launched by July 2029. The company plans to launch a total of 3236 satellites into orbit, according to an agreement concluded in July 2020.

Amazon bought the first 9 Atlas 5 rockets to launch satellites

According to the documents, the launch of Kuiper satellites will take place in five stages. Atlas 5 missiles were used to launch several national security missions and NASA, and, according to Amazon, the rocket has 100% successful launches with more than 85 launches. Atlas 5 will be launched from space launch complex 41 at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

We designed our satellites so that they can be placed in different launch vehicles - this gives us the opportunity to use many different rockets and suppliers to launch our satellite system, "said Rajev Badyal, vice president of technology at Project Kuiper.

Amazon Kuiper satellites will orbit the Earth at an altitude of 590 to 630 kilometers. According to the developers, they will provide Internet connection speed up to 400 Mbps, and it will increase in subsequent generations. The company promised to invest $10 billion in the program, which roughly corresponds to the planned investment of SpaceX in its Starlink satellite Internet. It is known that more than 500 people work on the program.^[1]

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