Latest news with #ProjectKuiper1
The Independent
10-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Amazon scrubs first launch of space internet satellites
Jeff Bezos suffered a setback in his ambition to take on Elon Musk 's Starlink network after Amazon was forced to scrub the first ever launch of its Kuiper internet satellites. The United Launch Alliance (ULA) had been due to send 27 of Amazon 's first operational Project Kuiper satellites into orbit from Cape Canaveral in Florida, however thick clouds and nearby rain breached launch safety rules. 'It is confirmed that we will not continue with the Amazon Project Kuiper 1 launch activities today,' ULA launch commentator Caleb Weiss said during the livestream. A new date has not yet been set. Project Kuiper is Amazon's multi-billion dollar attempt to build a global satellite internet network that could rival SpaceX's Starlink constellation, which has already deployed more than 6,750 satellites and begun commercial operations in more than 100 countries around the world. Amazon has said it plans to launch more than 3,200 Kuiper satellites, having secured more than 80 launches to deploy the initial constellation. Contracts include ULA, Arianespace, Blue Origin – the space firm founded by Bezos – and even SpaceX. 'We've designed some of the most advanced communications satellites ever built, and every launch is an opportunity to add more capacity and coverage to our network,' Rajeev Badyal, vice president of Project Kuiper, said ahead of the latest launch attempt. 'We've done extensive testing on the ground to prepare for this first mission, but there are some things you can only learn in flight, and this will be the first time we've flown our final satellite design and the first time we've deployed so many satellites at once.' Two prototype Kuiper satellites were successfully launched in October 2023, with Amazon since improving the performance of propulsion systems, processors and inter-satellite links. Once deployed, the satellites will activate onboard systems and use their electric propulsion systems to ascend to their assigned orbit of 630 kilometres (392 miles). Amazon workers will then test network connectivity by sending data up to the satellites and back down to terminals on the ground.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Launch of Amazon's 1st Kuiper internet satellites delayed by bad weather
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Amazon may be a whiz at fast online deliveries, but the massive company will have to wait to launch the first satellites of its new space internet constellation after bad weather thwarted a liftoff on Wednesday night. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket attempted to launch 27 of Amazon's first Project Kuiper internet satellites to orbit from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on April 9, but persistent clouds near the pad violated launch rules, ULA officials said. "It is confirmed that we will not continue with the Amazon Project Kuiper 1 launch activities today," ULA launch commentator Caleb Weiss said during a livestream. "We will work with our partners at the U.S. Space Force Space Launch Delta 45 for the timing of our next launch opportunity." Bad weather plagued ULA's launch attempt Amazon throughout a two-hour flight window that opened at 7 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT). Launch controllers worked through some technical glitches, but were primarily concerned thick cumulus clouds and rain within 10 miles of the pad, which violated launch weather rules, ULA officials said. RELATED STORIES — Amazon gets a green light to launch 3,000-satellite Kuiper constellation — Starlink satellites: Facts, tracking and impact on astronomy — Blinded by the light: How bad are satellite megaconstellations for astronomy? Project Kuiper is Amazon's answer to SpaceX's megaconstellation of Starlink satellites to provide high-speed internet around the world. Amazon hopes to build a constellation of 3,200 broadband satellites in the years ahead to cement a foothold on the space-based internet market. While ULA is launching these first Kuiper satellites, Amazon has tapped a wide range of launch services for the project, including flights on ULA's brand-new Vulcan Centaur rocket, Arianespace boosters, Blue Origin's New Glenn and SpaceX's Falcon rocket family. In October 2023, Amazon launched two prototype Kuiper satellites on a test flight, paving the way to this first fave of the first operational satellite launches.
