E-commerce behemoth Amazon has secured a deal with SpaceX to utilize three of Elon Musk’s Falcon 9 rockets to propel its ambitious Project Kuiper satellite broadband network into orbit. The agreement marks a significant step forward for Amazon’s aim to establish a constellation of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit.
Project Kuiper, unveiled in 2019, is designed to provide high-speed internet access to underserved and remote areas worldwide. The collaboration with SpaceX, which has pioneered satellite broadband services through its Starlink constellation, underscores Amazon’s commitment to leveraging diverse launch providers and vehicles to realize its satellite ambitions.
The Falcon 9 launches are scheduled to commence in mid-2025, with Amazon gearing up for satellite manufacturing in the first half of 2024. The company anticipates deploying enough satellites to initiate early customer pilots by the latter half of 2024.