Starlink vs Kuiper heats up as Amazon launches second batch of rival internet satellites
Amazon has taken another big step towards building its own satellite-based internet network. On Monday morning, a rocket carrying 27 more Kuiper satellites lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This was the second successful deployment for Amazon's Project Kuiper, its ambitious plan to bring high-speed internet to remote and underserved parts of the world. According to CNBC, the launch happened at 6:54 a.m. ET and was carried out by United Launch Alliance (ULA) using its Atlas V rocket. With this latest launch, Amazon now has 54 satellites in low Earth orbit — still a long way from the 3,236 it eventually plans to deploy, but a clear sign of progress.advertisementProject Kuiper is Amazon's answer to SpaceX's Starlink, which currently leads the satellite internet space with thousands of satellites already in orbit. Amazon's goal is to build a reliable broadband network using satellites that orbit much closer to Earth than traditional ones, which should allow for faster speeds and lower latency. The company says the network will be useful for schools, hospitals, homes and businesses in areas where internet access is either limited or completely unavailable.According to Los Angeles Magazine, ULA described the latest mission as 'the second of 46 recurring missions for Project Kuiper.' MiMi Aung, a director on the Kuiper team, said during the livestream: 'This mission is ambitious. It's going to impact communities that cannot be reached with fibre-traditional communications. The solution has to be from space.'advertisement
Amazon first revealed its satellite internet project in 2019, with the first launch finally taking place earlier this year on April 28. Since then, progress has picked up. As per a report by CNBC, Amazon has to meet a key milestone — getting at least half of its total constellation (1,618 satellites) into orbit by July 2026, as required by the US Federal Communications Commission.To reach that target, Amazon has booked more than 80 launches with different rocket providers — including SpaceX, its main rival in the satellite internet race. In fact, Los Angeles Magazine also reported that SpaceX launched more Starlink satellites from the same station just hours before Amazon's mission on Monday.Rajeev Badyal, Vice President of Technology at Project Kuiper, said in the LA Magazine story: 'We have set out to design the most advanced satellite network ever built, and we have created the whole thing, in-house, at Amazon.'The company has not shared a specific date for its next launch yet.- Ends
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