Amazon’s plans for the launch of Project Kuiper, its satellite internet service, suffer a setback again. For the second time in less than a year, the company founded by Jeff Bezos has been forced to change rocket to launch the first two prototypes of satellites with which it intends to launch its response to SpaceX’s Starlink.
As reported Ars Technica, the satellites in question will not travel into space on the maiden flight of the Vulcan Centaur, the new rocket developed by ULA, the alliance between Lockheed Martin and Boeing. On the contrary, they will do it in the historic Atlas Vbelonging to the same company.
The news was confirmed by an Amazon spokesperson to the aforementioned medium, but without providing further details in this regard. However, it is not unreasonable to think that it is an unwanted situation for Project Kuiper. Especially since Elon Musk and SpaceX are advancing steadily on the second generation of Starlink satellites.
Keep in mind that the new rocket change will delay the launch of the satellites in question —KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2— at least until september. As long as there are no further delays, of course. This is another blow to Amazon’s ambitious plans to launch a satellite internet service to rival Starlink as soon as possible.
Project Kuiper changes rocket for the second time in less than a year
The original plan was for the Project Kuiper crew to travel into space on an ABL Space Systems RS1 rocket in late 2022. However, setbacks forced the switch in favor of the Vulcan Centaur, which was supposed to have its maiden flight in May. past. But that never happened. A leak in the liquid hydrogen tank of the upper stage of the rocket caused its destruction during tests carried out in March and forced to change the date of its first launch to the last quarter of the year.
Thus, the Atlas V —which ULA sends into space once a month— has come to the rescue. And Amazon has been lucky: the slot for the September launch it was left deserted due to the delays in the cargo it was originally supposed to carry. This means that space was freed up on the rocket that would otherwise have been occupied. What Andy Jassy’s firm refused to communicate is whether, despite this new rocket change, they plan to launch other Project Kuiper satellites on the original Vulcan Centaur flight, regardless of when it takes place.
Despite the lack of confirmation on the latter, it should not be ruled out completely. After all, the BE-4 engines of the Vulcan Centaur have been developed by Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ aerospace company. So there’s too strong a link between ULA’s new rocket and the Amazon founder to pass up this opportunity.
Amazon’s satellite internet is exposed to further delays
One of the big questions that arises from the new rocket change suffered by Project Kuiper is if it exposes you to further delays. Last March, Amazon reported that its intention was to launch its satellite internet service in 2024, beginning a testing phase that would even allow connectivity to be brought to some consumers. However, this was before the delay of the maiden flight of the Vulcan Centaur and the switch to the Atlas V became known.
The two prototype Project Kuiper satellites have been in a warehouse in Florida since March, awaiting their launch into space. If ULA cannot send them before the end of September, it is logical to think that the start-up of the infrastructure to compete with Starlink will suffer another delay.
Once your satellite constellation is deployed and active, Amazon will offer three models of antennas to users of its satellite internet. Each one will allow access to different connection speeds. The smallest will be ultraportable, with a size of approximately 7 inches – similar to that of a tablet or a Kindle – and will provide a connection of up to 100 Mbps.
The intermediate antenna will be about 11 inches in size and will allow connectivity of up to 400 Mbps. While the largest model will be considerably larger – measuring about 48 x 76 centimeters – and will promise speeds of up to 1Gbps.
The race against Starlink
It is clear that, hand in hand with Project Kuiper, Amazon wants to run a race in which Starlink is the main competitor. And while SpaceX’s platform is several lengths ahead, Those directed by Andy Jassy are confident that they can fight it. Although it will surely take years to start seeing the results.
Although Amazon’s satellite internet could start working in 2024 on a trial basis, the necessary infrastructure to power it would only be completed at the end of the current decade. Project Kuiper is authorized to put 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit, but it is estimated that by 2026 only 50% of them would be deployed. The company aspires to complete its constellation in 2029; an ambitious goal, considering that he has not yet been able to launch the first two prototypes into space.