Originally intended to launch on the inaugural Vulcan Centaur mission, Amazon has moved the 2 prototype Kuiper satellites off of the delayed rocket to United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V.
As we theorized last month, Amazon has secured the launch of the two Kuiper satellites on the Atlas V. The Atlas V will fly within the 501 configuration, which is able to launching 8,210 kg (18,100 lbs) to low Earth orbit. The prototypes are expected to weigh at the very least a pair hundred kilograms, but that has not been confirmed by Amazon. It is feasible they’re more just like the OneWeb satellite design than the SpaceX Starlink.
Amazon to construct Kuiper satellite processing facility in Florida
Amazon, which recently announced the development of a Kuiper satellite processing facility at Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is probably going pushing to get these two prototype satellites to orbit with a view to confirm designs and capabilities in order that they can get the fundamental a part of the constellation underway.
Amazon currently has launch contracts for his or her constellation, including 38 on Vulcan Centaur, 18 on Ariane 6, 12 on Recent Glenn, and nine on Atlas V.
Nevertheless, the shift to Atlas V for Kuiper 1 and a pair of makes eight launches on that rocket. It’s the only operational rocket able to launching out of those three.
United Launch Alliance still expects their Vulcan Centaur to launch later this 12 months, but that isn’t any guarantee as they finish strengthening the Centaur V upper stage and testing the fix.
The Kuiper constellation, once accomplished, can be over 3,200 satellites in low Earth orbit with the hopes of competing against the Starlink constellation that’s full speed ahead in its own operational and deployment phase.
The launch of the two Kuiper prototype satellites could come as soon as late next month once the launch pad is obvious of United Launch Alliance’s current mission, the Silentbarker (NROL-107) satellite for the US Air Force and National Reconnaissance Office.