Amazon is transferring forward with its web satellite tv for pc initiative, the tech large introduced on April 2. Challenge Kuiper, a batch of 27 satellites set to launch on April 9, will compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink.

First satellite tv for pc launch will reveal Amazon’s area functionality

Challenge Kuiper’s satellites will present web entry to nearly any location on the planet, Amazon mentioned. The corporate initially signed the launch deal in 2022.

On April 9, a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket will carry the 27 satellites from Cape Canaveral in Florida to a 280-mile low Earth orbit. This will likely be Amazon’s first full full deployment of web satellites. The corporate plans to finally deploy a complete of three,200 satellites in batches of dozens at a time.

“We’ve performed in depth testing on the bottom to arrange for this primary mission, however there are some issues you possibly can solely be taught in flight, and this would be the first time we’ve flown our last satellite tv for pc design and the primary time we’ve deployed so many satellites without delay,” mentioned Rajeev Badyal, vp of Challenge Kuiper, in a press launch.

Two prototype satellites had been examined in October 2023 and efficiently enabled a two-way video name over satellite tv for pc web.

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To stop satellites from interfering with astronomers’ work, Amazon coated them with a dielectric mirror movie to masks their mirrored gentle.

The launch is a milestone for the Atlas V; Challenge Kuiper marks the heaviest payload the rocket has ever flown.

Future Challenge Kuiper launches will use quite a lot of autos, together with the Atlas V, ULA’s Vulcan Centaur, and rockets from Arianespace, Blue Origin, and SpaceX.

Web satellite tv for pc rivals woo the federal government market

Satellite tv for pc web service from Starlink, as we speak’s main supplier, has touched over 5 million web customers throughout 125 international locations, in line with Reuters. T-Cell has made Starlink its default connectivity within the U.S. for locations with out every other wi-fi protection. Satellite tv for pc web has been pivotal for presidency, navy, and intelligence operations.

Whereas Amazon doesn’t promote Challenge Kuiper routers but, its internet providers infrastructure may finally combine into space-based communications.