Latest news with #BenChilton
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Amazon launches 27 Kuiper satellites, to compete with Elon Musk's Starlink
Amazon has launched another 27 satellites for its Project Kuiper, intensifying competition with SpaceX's Starlink in the satellite internet market. This second successful launch brings Amazon's total to 54 satellites in orbit, marking progress toward its goal of providing global internet coverage with a planned constellation of 3,236 satellites. Amazon has launched 27 more satellites under its Project Kuiper on Monday (June 23), taking another step toward building a large network of internet satellites in low Earth orbit. The launch puts Amazon in closer competition with Elon Musk-owned SpaceX's Starlink, which currently leads the satellite internet market. The satellites were launched aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 6:54 a.m. ET (4:24pm IST). 'We have ignition and lift off of United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper internet constellation,' said ULA engineer Ben Chilton during a livestream of the launch. Amazon's second successful Kuiper launch This is Amazon's second successful Kuiper launch. The mission had been delayed twice due to bad weather and a technical issue with the rocket booster. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The first batch of 27 satellites was sent into orbit in April this year. The company now has a total of 54 Kuiper satellites in space. These launches mark the beginning of Amazon's plan to build a network of 3,236 satellites to provide global internet coverage. Amazon must deploy at least half of its planned satellites — 1,618 — by July 2026 to meet a deadline set by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). To achieve this goal, Amazon has booked more than 80 satellite launches with various providers, including SpaceX, its main competitor. Starlink, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, already has about 8,000 satellites in orbit and offers satellite internet service globally. Project Kuiper was first announced in 2019 as Amazon's move into the growing satellite internet market. The company says the service will help expand internet access in remote and underserved areas once it becomes fully operational. JOB SCAM ALERT! Don't Let Fake Recruiters Steal Your Money AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
CNBC
12 hours ago
- Business
- CNBC
Amazon launches second batch of Kuiper internet satellites, taking on Elon Musk's Starlink
Amazon's second batch of Kuiper internet satellites reached low Earth orbit on Monday, adding to its plans for a massive constellation and ramping up competition with SpaceX's Starlink. A United Launch Alliance rocket carrying 27 Kuiper satellites lifted off from a launchpad at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 6:54 a.m. ET, according to a livestream. "We have ignition and lift off of United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper internet constellation, continuing a new chapter in low Earth orbit satellite connectivity," Ben Chilton, an ordnance engineer at ULA, said on the livestream following the launch. Monday's mission was rescheduled twice, owing to inclement weather and a problem with the rocket booster. Six years ago, Amazon unveiled its plans to build a constellation of internet-beaming satellites in low Earth orbit, called Project Kuiper. The service will compete directly with Elon Musk's Starlink, which currently dominates the market and has 8,000 satellites in orbit. Amazon in April successfully sent up 27 Kuiper internet satellites into low Earth orbit, a region of space that's within 1,200 miles of the Earth's surface. The 54 craft currently in orbit are the start of Amazon's planned constellation of 3,236 satellites. The company has to meet a Federal Communications Commission deadline to launch half of its total constellation, or 1,618 satellites, by July 2026. The company has booked more than 80 launches with several providers, including rival SpaceX, to deliver Kuiper its satellites into orbit.
