Amazon Project Kuiper

Project Kuiper is an initiative to launch a constellation of satellites into low Earth orbit that will provide high-speed, low-latency broadband connectivity for places on the planet that have communications problems so far.

The Kuiper project is similar to Space Exploration Technologies' Starlink project.

2023

Launch of laser space communication system

On December 14, 2023, the company Amazon announced the launch of a laser space communications system as part of the Kuiper project. It is assumed that on the basis of this platform broadband access Internet will be provided to millions of users around the world who do not have a reliable connection to traditional communication channels.

The laser data transmission line as of the specified date is organized between the KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2 satellites, which carry specialized optical equipment on board. The capacity is approximately 100 Gbit/s at a distance of about 1000 km.

Amazon announced the launch of a laser space communication system as part of the Kuiper project

Amazon uses Optical Inter-Satellite Link (OISL) technology. The system uses infrared lasers to transmit data between spacecraft in Earth's orbit. The satellites include several optical terminals for simultaneous connection with a plurality of devices as part of a constellation. Due to this, high-speed laser cross-communication channels are formed, which form a safe and fault-tolerant mesh network in space. As a result, the overall throughput of the platform increases and delays are reduced. In addition, improved flexibility is achieved in terms of connecting customers on land, at sea, in the air and in space.

It is noted that light propagates faster in space than through conventional fiber optic cables, and therefore the Kuiper orbital laser network can transmit data about 30% faster than if they were sent an equivalent distance over ground lines. The project will help expand the reach of the cloud computing platform Amazon Web Services. In addition, the possibility of using the Kuiper system is being considered by the US military to organize auxiliary information transmission lines.^[1]

Launch of the first satellites

On October 6, 2023, Amazon announced the successful launch of the Atlas V rocket, which delivered the first vehicles to space as part of the Kuiper project. This initiative provides for the formation of a satellite constellation to provide high-speed Internet access services. The system will have to compete with the Starlink satellite platform created by SpaceX's efforts.

The Atlas V carrier with KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2 spacecraft launched from the US Space Force site at Cape Canaveral. The satellites were launched into Earth orbit with an altitude of approximately 500 km. Communication is established with the sets: they will be used for comprehensive equipment tests, including communication with ground stations and connection of client terminals.

Amazon launched the first satellites for its satellite internet project

We have conducted comprehensive tests in the laboratory and have a high degree of confidence in the design of satellites, but nothing will replace orbital tests. This is the first time Amazon has launched its own satellites into space, and we have a lot to learn, no matter how the mission develops, "said Rajeev Badyal, vice president of technology for the Kuiper project.

Amazon's ultimate goal is to deploy a satellite constellation of more than 3.2 thousand devices. It will provide broadband internet access in any corner of the world, including remote and hard-to-reach regions not covered by traditional fiber optic networks.

According to Amazon, the cost of its client kits for connecting to the satellite Internet system will be about $400. The company does not disclose tariffs for Internet access services as of early October 2023. Amazon plans to connect first users to the platform as part of the beta testing program by the end of 2024.^[2]

Florida Satellite Training Center Construction Plan

Amazon.com plans to build a $120 million satellite processing center in Florida to support the Kuiper project, an initiative to sell Internet access through satellites in space.

The facility, which has not yet been completed by July 2023, will be used to prepare Kuiper satellites before being sent into orbit. It is located at NASA's Kennedy Space Center and is adjacent to key launch sites.

2021

Amazon bought a team of satellite Internet developers from Facebook

In mid-July 2021, it became known that Amazon bought a team of satellite Internet developers from Facebook. A group of more than a dozen Los Angeles scientists and engineers joined Amazon in April. The acquisition ended Facebook's plans to develop satellite internet and at the same time strengthened Amazon's position in this direction. Read more here.

Amazon bought 9 rockets to launch Project Kuiper satellites

In mid-April 2021 Amazon , she ordered the first nine Atlas 5 rockets from the company to United Launch Alliance (ULA) send her Project Kuiper satellites into space. They are needed to provide access to the Internet to hard-to-reach regions that are practically devoid of other opportunities for the Network. This is Amazon's first agreement to launch satellites into orbit. Lands More. here

2020: Investing $10 billion in the project

At the end of July 2020, it became known that Amazon is creating its own satellite Internet system, which will compete with SpaceX's Starlink network. The project, known as Kuiper, will see the company launch 3,236 satellites. Amazon has announced it is "investing more than $10 billion" in the new system.

The US Federal Communications Commission (CSF) has already given Amazon permission to create a satellite system. The Kuiper network, named after Dutch and American astronomer Gerard Kuiper, will consist of 3,236 satellites placed in Earth orbit. The company explained that it will launch satellites in five stages, and broadband service will begin when there are 578 satellites in orbit. Amazon emphasizes that it will take its satellites out of orbit within 355 days of completing the task.

Amazon is building its own satellite internet system

We came to the conclusion that the Kuiper project is of public interest, since it will provide access to high-speed Internet for consumers, government and the business community, the CSF said in a statement.

Amazon Senior Vice President Dave Limp noted that there are still many places on the planet where broadband is unreliable or does not exist at all. The Kuiper network should change this, and the company announced that it will invest $10 million in its development to provide new jobs and related infrastructure.

Amazon has not yet set a timeline for the deployment of Kuiper and, judging by the statements of the CSF, has not yet completed the development of the design of satellites. However, the company is ready to keep pace with the development of SpaceX's StarX high-speed Internet satellite system, which Elon Musk's company began launching in 2019. Morgan Stanley Bank already predicts that building a rival system could generate "hundreds of billions of dollars" for Amazon. ^[3]

2019

Request permission to launch 3236 satellites for distribution broadband access

On July 8, 2019, it became known that the company Amazon filed USA an application on July 4 with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for permission to deploy a low-orbit satellite Kuiper constellation consisting of 3,236 satellites.

The Kuiper satellite constellation is designed to provide broadband internet access to millions of users who are deprived of this opportunity. Amazon said in its application that the satellites will be put into low Earth orbit with an altitude of 590 to 630 kilometers.

As you know, the FCC has already approved the launch of about 13 thousand spacecraft into orbit, including almost 12 thousand satellites belonging to the StarLink constellation of SpaceX.

According to Euroconsult estimates, from 2018 to 2027, 3.3 thousand spacecraft weighing more than 50 kg will be launched^[4].

Project Kuiper announcement

In March 2019, it became known that Amazon is joining the race to provide broadband Internet access through a system of thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit, announcing its system, codenamed Project Kuiper.

This project requires many years and billions of dollars, because it will require the launch of 3236 satellites into orbit. And before making a profit from this, you will have to withstand competition. First of all, we are talking about SpaceX, which has already begun to deploy a similar project called Starlink from two sets of satellites (4425 - at the first stage, and as a result, their number can reach 12,000).

Applications for regulators (International Telecommunication Union and Federal Commission on communications (FCC)) include a project with a plan to place 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit. Of these, 784 satellites are proposed to be placed in orbit, 590 km high, 1296 satellites - at a distance of 610 km from the Earth's surface, and another 1156 space relay vehicles in 630 km of orbit.

Amazon plans to provide coverage on Earth between 56 degrees north and south, in which 95% of the world's population lives. It should be noted that Ukraine completely falls into this range, since^[5], located between 44 and 52 degrees north latitude].

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