Two typical satellites Amazon He was Launched into space Friday afternoon, marking the first stages of the company’s initiative known as Project Kuiperwhich seeks to create a collection of more than 3000 satellites In low orbit to provide internet that could rival SpaceX’s Starlink.
Key facts
The satellite prototypes are the first versions of more than 3,200 satellites that will be deployed through Project Kuiper over the next six years, half of which are scheduled to launch before then. July 2026 Within the deadline Organizational.
Amazon has committed to investing 10 billion dollars In the Kuiper project, whose goal is to find its place in A profitable The satellite internet market includes approx 4 billion people Who need access to the Internet, according to Washington Post .
The project could one day serve as a competitor to the space company’s Starlink internet satellites Elon Musk, SpaceXwhich had a tremendous start, culminating in the presence of more than 4,000 satellites currently orbiting the Earth.
The missile launch was completed on Friday Atlas V At Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, this will produce a pair of orbiting satellites 500 km above the surface from Earth to conduct a series of tests.
Rajeev BadialThe Kuiper Project’s vice president of technology said a permit That Friday was “the first time Amazon has put satellites in space,” a feat that has been accomplished before Blue originalAirline Jeff Bezosa rocket can be put into orbit.
Forbes ranking
We estimate that Bezos’s net worth is $150.8 billionwhich makes it The third richest person In the world, two places behind Musk, which he values $259.9 billion.
Main background
Amazon bought 83 launches, the largest commercial launch purchase ever, to complement satellite launches planned by Project Kuiper. Blue Origin accounted for 27 launches, while the rest came from Arianespace from France and United Launch Alliance from the United States. Launch officials hope to meet Kuiper launch deadlines, according to… The New York Times. Amazon seeks to provide satellite Internet to individual consumers and businesses through Kuiper and will build consumer-level stations The cost of the works is $400mentioned Reuters. It will take some time for the software to reach the level of SpaceX’s Starlink, which sells terminals to consumers $599.
the shadow
Amazon faces a Shareholder lawsuit Who accuse it of not completing due diligence by not considering purchasing cheaper launches from SpaceX. Shareholders claim the rivalry between Bezos and Musk was a factor in the decision to buy Blue Origin, France’s Arianespace and US’s United Launch Alliance.
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