In another step towards expanding its internet service network, Amazon launched a new batch of Kuiper satellites, increasing the total number of satellites in the system to 78.
Launch of Satellites on SpaceX Rocket
Today, Amazon launched 24 Project Kuiper internet satellites into low Earth orbit using one of SpaceX's reusable Falcon 9 rockets. The KF-01 mission began at 2:18 AM ET in a 27-minute launch window, with the rocket lifted off from Florida's Space Coast. Earlier this year, the company used rockets provided by United Launch Alliance (ULA) to send 54 satellites into space.
Previous Missions and Satellite Status
Kuiper confirmed that its initial deployment of 54 broadband satellites launched on July 15 is fully operational. The first 27 satellites were sent into orbit on April 28 aboard an ULA Atlas V rocket, and all devices successfully released and were health-checked 90 minutes after launch.
Future of Project Kuiper
According to Rajeev Badyal, Vice President of Project Kuiper, the team plans to conduct over 80 missions to deploy its initial satellite constellation, totaling over 3.2K devices. Amazon plans to perform seven more launches on Atlas V rockets and around 38 on Vulcan Centaur rockets, with a total of more than 30 other missions planned with various providers.
The launch of the new Kuiper satellites marks an important step for Amazon in its effort to provide high-speed internet access in underserved areas around the world.
