![Two prototype Project Kuiper satellites, encapsulated in a payload faring, are moved to the Atlas V launch pad for integration. In the future, these satellites will fly to orbit on Atlas V rockets as well as Vulcan, Blue Origin's New Glenn, Arianespace's Ariane 6, and now SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. Credit: United Launch Alliance](https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/53220767851_a5d9e5ab40_k.jpg)
Two prototype Project Kuiper satellites, encapsulated in a payload faring, are moved to the Atlas V launch pad for integration. In the long run, these satellites will fly to orbit on Atlas V rockets in addition to Vulcan, Blue Origin’s Latest Glenn, Arianespace’s Ariane 6, and now SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. Credit: United Launch Alliance
In a move to support the deployment of its low Earth orbit broadband network, Project Kuiper, a enterprise by tech giant Amazon.com, has entered right into a contract with SpaceX for 3 Falcon 9 launches.
The collaboration, announced Dec. 1, goals to leverage SpaceX’s proven capabilities to realize timely liftoffs, addressing schedule risks and accelerating Project Kuiper’s ambitious global connectivity initiative.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper goals to supply web to unserved and underserved communities world wide via its low Earth orbit constellation. The corporate has approval by the Federal Communications Commission to deploy 3,236 satellites with a requirement to have half in space and operational by July 30, 2026, and the remaining by July 30, 2029.
To do that, the corporate signed contracts with Arianespace, Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance to fly a complete of 77 heavy-lift rockets. This includes nine from ULA’s Atlas V, 38 on ULA’s Vulcan, 18 on Arianespace’s Ariane 6 and 12 on Blue Origin’s Latest Glenn, with options for as much as 15 additional launches.
![In April 2022, Amazon signed contracts for up to 83 rocket launches to build its Project Kuiper internet constellation, which is expected to include more than 3,000 satellites. Credit: Amazon](https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/amazonlaunch.png)
In April 2022, Amazon signed contracts for as much as 83 rocket launches to construct its Project Kuiper web constellation, which is anticipated to incorporate greater than 3,000 satellites. Credit: Amazon
This multi-launch vehicle approach is designed to make sure flexibility and expedite the deployment schedule, the corporate said. Nonetheless, of those 4, only the Atlas V is currently flying. ULA’s Vulcan could fly for the primary time as soon as this month or early 2024.
But each Ariane 6 and Latest Glenn aren’t expected to have their maiden flights until mid 2024, giving Amazon only two years to fly greater than 1,000 satellites into orbit to satisfy the primary FCC deadline. To help with that, the corporate said three SpaceX Falcon 9 missions are slated for liftoff starting in mid-2025.
In October, Project Kuiper recently marked a milestone with the successful launch of two prototype satellites, with tests from the mission contributing to the validation of satellite design and network architecture. This launch occurred atop an Atlas V rocket.
Amazon said it plans to begin manufacturing activities ahead of full-scale deployment in the primary half of 2024, with an expectation to have enough satellites in space for early customer pilots by the second half of 2024.
With a commitment to spend $10 billion on Project Kuiper, the corporate said it’s constructing a $120 million satellite processing facility at Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility (previously used for space shuttle landings) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The power is anticipated for use to arrange satellites for flight and encapsulation for each the Latest Glenn and Vulcan rockets. It’s unclear if that now includes preparation for payloads flying atop SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
![A file photo of a SpaceX Falcon 9 launching a batch of Starlink satellites. Credit: Theresa Cross / Spaceflight Insider](https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/starlink-4-15-theresa-cross-theresacross_-26227.jpeg)
A file photo of a SpaceX Falcon 9 launching a batch of Starlink satellites. Credit: Theresa Cross / Spaceflight Insider
Project Kuiper isn’t the primary mega constellation being developed for global high-speed broadband web. SpaceX’s Starlink, also launched by Falcon 9 rockets, is essentially the most distinguished, having launched greater than 5,000 satellites to low Earth orbit over the course of greater than 125 launches since 2019.
There are plans for hundreds more Starlink satellites as SpaceX expands the service. As of September 2023, there have been greater than 2 million subscribers.
There’s also OneWeb, which has greater than 500 satellites in low Earth orbit, lots of which were also launched by SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
Amazon’s contract with SpaceX follows a lawsuit filed earlier this yr by an Amazon shareholder against Amazon’s board of directors alleging that the board took lower than 40 minutes to approve launch contracts without even considering SpaceX.
The claim contends this decision committed Amazon to spending a whole lot of thousands and thousands greater than obligatory. The lawsuit is currently ongoing, adding a layer of complexity to Project Kuiper’s journey into orbit.