Amazon has put its first batch of Internet Satellites, the latest entry in the Mega Constellation Market, currently dominated by SpaceX’s StarLink network.
The United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V Rocket carried the 27 of Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite, named after the frigid edge of the solar system beyond Neptune.
Once released in orbit, the satellite will eventually reach an altitude of nearly 630 km.
Two test satellites were launched in 2023 by Atlas V.
Project officials said major upgrades have been added to the latest version. Modern satellites are coated with mirror membranes designed to scatter reflected sunlight to accommodate astronomers.
Stargazer opposes the rapidly growing constellations of low-orbit satellites, claiming it is ruining observations. Others fear more satellite collisions.
Founded by Jeff Bezos, who currently runs his own Blue Origin Rocket Company, Amazon aims to bring these satellites into orbit over 3,200 orbit, providing fast, affordable broadband services around the world.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has already launched over 8,000 Starlinks since 2019. The company marked its 250th Starlink launch on Sunday night.
Over 7,000 Starlinks are still in orbit around 550 kilometers above the Earth.
Based in Europe, the number of OneWeb Satellite signs is hundreds on even higher orbits.
Amazon has already purchased dozens of rocket launches from the United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin for Project Kuiper and other Project Kuipers.
Despite extensive testing on the ground, “There are some things you can only learn while flying,” says Rajeev Badyal, vice president of the project.
“No matter how the mission unfolds, this is just the beginning of our journey,” he said in a statement ahead of the lift-off.
The first lift-off attempt earlier this month was released by bad weather. It took time so far to secure another location with the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station launch lineup.
