Project Kuiper

In April 2019, Amazon officials announced that they would fund and deploy Project Kuiper, a large satellite constellation, to provide broadband internet service.{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=April 4, 2019|title=Amazon wants to launch thousands of satellites so it can offer broadband internet from space|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/04/amazon-project-kuiper-broadband-internet-small-satellite-network.html|access-date=April 4, 2019|archive-date=April 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404151556/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/04/amazon-project-kuiper-broadband-internet-small-satellite-network.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Henry|first=Caleb|date=April 4, 2019|title=Amazon planning 3,236-satellite constellation for internet connectivity|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/amazon-planning-3236-satellite-constellation-for-internet-connectivity/|access-date=April 5, 2019|archive-date=5 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405114142/https://spacenews.com/amazon-planning-3236-satellite-constellation-for-internet-connectivity/|url-status=live}} Officials said the project would "offer broadband service through partnerships with other companies", including to "tens of millions of people who lack basic access to broadband internet", although it remains unclear whether service will be offered directly to consumers.{{cite news |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |date=July 8, 2019 |title=Amazon plans nationwide broadband — with both home and mobile service |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/07/amazon-follows-spacex-into-satellite-broadband-asks-fcc-to-ok-launch-plan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708220112/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/07/amazon-follows-spacex-into-satellite-broadband-asks-fcc-to-ok-launch-plan/ |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |access-date=July 9, 2019 |publisher=Ars Technica |quote=Kuiper is wholly owned by Amazon, and its president is Rajeev Badyal, a former SpaceX vice president who was reportedly fired because SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was unsatisfied with his company's satellite-broadband progress.}}

The president of Kuiper Systems, Rajeev Badyal, was a former vice president of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet constellation. Fired by Elon Musk in 2018, Badyal soon afterward started Kuiper along with other ex-SpaceX employees.{{cite news|title=Elon Musk Fires Multiple Starlink Executives|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spacex-starlink-insight-idINKCN1N50FC|access-date=24 August 2021|archive-date=5 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405114143/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spacex-starlink-insight-idINKCN1N50FC|url-status=live}}

In December 2019, it was reported that Amazon was asking the FCC to waive requirements (e.g., to have applied by 2016) that SpaceX and OneWeb had to follow in order to get their large satellite internet constellations licensed.{{cite news|title=SpaceX Is Lobbying Against Amazon's Internet-Beaming Satellites|publisher=Vice|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/spacex-is-lobbying-against-amazons-internet-beaming-satellites/|access-date=December 23, 2019|quote=Amazon is trying to get a waiver to FCC rules that companies like SpaceX and OneWeb had to follow.|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726164626/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/5dmzyx/spacex-is-lobbying-against-amazons-internet-beaming-satellites|url-status=live}}

In July 2020, Amazon received FCC authorization to orbit a constellation of 3,236 satellites, provided, among other conditions, that they not interfere with previously authorized satellite ventures. Company officials said they would spend $10 billion on the effort.{{cite web |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |date=2020-07-30 |title=Amazon will invest over US$10 billion in its satellite internet network after receiving FCC authorization |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/30/fcc-authorizes-amazon-to-build-kuiper-satellite-internet-network.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801120157/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/30/fcc-authorizes-amazon-to-build-kuiper-satellite-internet-network.html |archive-date=2020-08-01 |access-date=2020-08-01 |publisher=CNBC}}{{cite web|date=2020-07-30|title=Amazon vows to invest US$10B in Kuiper satellites after getting FCC's go-ahead|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2020/fcc-says-amazon-can-proceed-kuiper-satellites-will-accommodate-rivals/|access-date=2020-07-31|publisher=GeekWire |archive-date=2020-07-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731052958/https://www.geekwire.com/2020/fcc-says-amazon-can-proceed-kuiper-satellites-will-accommodate-rivals/|url-status=live}} It was expected to take up to a decade to fully deploy all 3,236 planned satellites.

In December 2020, Amazon unveiled a low-cost flat-panel antenna for the Project Kuiper satellites. It is a Ka-band phased-array antenna that is much smaller than traditional designs for antennas that operate at 17–30 GHz. The antenna will be ~{{cvt|30|cm}} in width and is expected to support up to 400 megabits per second of data bandwidth at less than 20% of the cost of traditional state-of-the-art flat-panel antennas.{{cite news|title=Amazon unveils flat-panel customer terminal for Kuiper constellation|url=https://spacenews.com/amazon-unveils-flat-panel-customer-terminal-for-kuiper-constellation/|publisher=SpaceNews|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=15 December 2020|access-date=29 December 2020|archive-date=5 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405114143/https://spacenews.com/amazon-unveils-flat-panel-customer-terminal-for-kuiper-constellation/|url-status=live}} Amazon also announced that they intend to be "launch agnostic" and would not plan to exclusively use launch capacity from Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin company, but rather were open to launch capability offers from all providers.

In April 2021, Amazon announced that it had contracted with ULA for nine launches of Kuiper satellites on Atlas V launch vehicles from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, and noted that it will "continue to explore all options" for launching the remainder of the satellites.{{cite web|date=2021-04-19|title=Amazon secures United Launch Alliance Atlas V rockets for Project Kuiper|url=https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/amazon-secures-united-launch-alliance-atlas-v-rockets-for-project-kuiper |access-date=2021-04-19|publisher=About Amazon|archive-date=19 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419164830/https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/amazon-secures-united-launch-alliance-atlas-v-rockets-for-project-kuiper|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=2021-04-19|title=Amazon contracts nine Atlas 5 missions for Kuiper broadband satellites|url=https://spacenews.com/amazon-contracts-nine-atlas-5-missions-for-kuiper-broadband-satellites/|access-date=2021-04-19|publisher=SpaceNews|archive-date=9 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109124404/https://spacenews.com/amazon-contracts-nine-atlas-5-missions-for-kuiper-broadband-satellites/|url-status=live}}

In April 2022, Amazon announced contracts with three launch providers for 83 launches over the next decade.{{cite news |last1=Marks |first1=Paul |title=What does Amazon's attempt to dominate space mean for everyone else? |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2315215-what-does-amazons-attempt-to-dominate-space-mean-for-everyone-else/ |access-date=8 April 2022 |work=New Scientist |date=6 April 2022 |archive-date=26 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226121834/https://www.newscientist.com/article/2315215-what-does-amazons-attempt-to-dominate-space-mean-for-everyone-else/ |url-status=live }} They include 18 launches of the European Ariane 6, 12 launches of Blue Origin's New Glenn (with options for 15 additional flights), and 38 launches on the Vulcan launch vehicle from United Launch Alliance.{{cite news |title=Jeff Bezos and Amazon just hired everybody but SpaceX for Project Kuiper |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/04/amazon-signs-blockbuster-launch-deal-for-its-satellite-megaconstellation/ |last=Berger |first=Eric |work=Ars Technica |date=5 April 2022 |access-date=5 April 2022 |archive-date=14 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714233827/https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/04/amazon-signs-blockbuster-launch-deal-for-its-satellite-megaconstellation/ |url-status=live }} Amazon previously announced that it had purchased the final nine Atlas V rocket launches from ULA before its retirement.

In August 2023, a lawsuit was filed by an Amazon shareholder, Cleveland Bakers and Teamsters Pension Fund, against the company claiming the Amazon board of directors acted in bad faith when procuring the approximately $10 billion in launch contracts for the constellation, which amounted to Amazon's second-largest capital expenditure to date.{{Cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=2023-08-31 |title=Lawsuit claims Amazon's board erred in awarding Kuiper launch contracts to Blue Origin and others |url=https://spacenews.com/lawsuit-claims-amazons-board-erred-in-awarding-kuiper-launch-contracts-to-blue-origin-and-others/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US |archive-date=26 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226121843/https://spacenews.com/lawsuit-claims-amazons-board-erred-in-awarding-kuiper-launch-contracts-to-blue-origin-and-others/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=2022-04-05 |title=Jeff Bezos and Amazon just hired everybody but SpaceX for Project Kuiper |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/04/amazon-signs-blockbuster-launch-deal-for-its-satellite-megaconstellation/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us |archive-date=14 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714233827/https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/04/amazon-signs-blockbuster-launch-deal-for-its-satellite-megaconstellation/ |url-status=live }} Contracts to Blue Origin, owned by Bezos, amounted to 45% of the total expenditure. The suit suggests that animosity between Bezos and SpaceX founder Elon Musk may have precluded Amazon from contracting SpaceX's Falcon 9 vehicle, which is flight proven and potentially more cost-effective.

Two initial prototype satellites, “KuiperSat-1” and “KuiperSat-2” launched on October 6, 2023 on an Atlas V rocket operated by United Launch Alliance from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Stephen |date=August 7, 2023 |title=Amazon shifts launch of its first Internet satellites to Atlas V rocket |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/08/amazons-first-internet-satellites-will-launch-on-atlas-v-rocket-not-vulcan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808025624/https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/08/amazons-first-internet-satellites-will-launch-on-atlas-v-rocket-not-vulcan/ |archive-date=8 August 2023 |access-date=8 August 2023 |publisher=Ars Technica}}{{cite web |date=6 October 2023 |title=Atlas V rocket launches Amazon's 1st 2 internet satellites to orbit (Video) |url=https://www.space.com/atlas-v-rocket-launches-first-two-project-kuiper-satellites-amazon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231006231731/https://www.space.com/atlas-v-rocket-launches-first-two-project-kuiper-satellites-amazon |archive-date=6 October 2023 |access-date=6 October 2023 |website=Space.com}} The mission was deemed a success and both satellites were deorbited.{{cite web | url=https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/amazon-project-kuiper-test-satellites-space-launch-october-2023-update | title=Amazon shares an update on how Project Kuiper's test satellites are performing | date=16 October 2023 | access-date=18 October 2023 | archive-date=18 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018140101/https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/amazon-project-kuiper-test-satellites-space-launch-october-2023-update | url-status=live }}

In December 2023, it was announced that Amazon had secured three Kuiper launches aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-01 |title=Amazon secures 3 launches with SpaceX to support Project Kuiper deployment |url=https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/amazon-project-kuiper-spacex-launch |access-date=2023-12-01 |website=US About Amazon |language=en |archive-date=1 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201200800/https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/amazon-project-kuiper-spacex-launch |url-status=live }}

The Vulcan Centaur rocket launched for the first time on January 8, 2024,{{cite web |author=Foust |first=Jeff |date=January 8, 2024 |title=Vulcan Centaur launches Peregrine lunar lander on inaugural mission |url=https://spacenews.com/vulcan-centaur-launches-peregrine-lunar-lander-on-inaugural-mission/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108153201/https://spacenews.com/vulcan-centaur-launches-peregrine-lunar-lander-on-inaugural-mission/ |archive-date=8 January 2024 |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Spacenews}} clearing the way for the future ordered launches of Kuiper Systems satellites. Vulcan will launch 38 times for Kuiper. Ariane 6 made its maiden flight on 9 July 2024.{{Cite web |title=Ariane 6 standing tall |url=https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/04/Ariane_6_standing_tall |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}} Ariane 6 is responsible for 18 Kuiper launches.

The first 27 production satellites were launched on April 28, 2025 aboard an Atlas V rocket. The company said that it had successfully established communications with all of the satellites.{{Cite news |last=Weise |first=Karen |last2=Chang |first2=Kenneth |date=2025-04-28 |title=Amazon Launches First 27 Project Kuiper Internet Satellites |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/science/amazon-kuiper-launch-ula.html |access-date=2025-04-29 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Kuiper has launched two prototype satellites and 27 production satellites to date as of April 2025.

Project Kuiper System is planned to consist of 3,236 satellites operating in 98 orbital planes in three orbital shells, one each at {{cvt|590|km}}, {{cvt|610|km}}, and {{cvt|630|km}} orbital altitude.{{cite news|url=https://spacenews.com/amazon-lays-out-constellation-service-goals-deployment-and-deorbit-plans-to-fcc/|title=Amazon lays out constellation service goals, deployment and deorbit plans to FCC|first=Caleb|last=Henry|publisher=SpaceNews|date=July 8, 2019|access-date=1 August 2020}} The satellites are equipped with Hall-effect thruster technology.{{Cite web |title=Amazon's Project Kuiper demonstrates safe, controlled satellite maneuvering on orbit |url=https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/amazon-project-kuiper-satellite-propulsion-system-november-2023-update |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=www.aboutamazon.com |date=9 November 2023 |language=en}} Phase 1 of deployment will be 578 satellites at 630 km altitude and an orbital inclination of 51.9 degrees. A total of five phases of constellation development are planned.

Kuiper is planned to work in concert with Amazon's previously announced large network of 12 satellite ground station facilities (the "AWS Ground Station unit") announced in November 2018.{{cite news |last=Sheetz|first=Michael|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/27/amazon-launches-aws-ground-station-satellite-data-collection-service.html|title=Amazon cloud business reaches into space with satellite connection service|publisher=CNBC|date=November 27, 2018|access-date=April 4, 2019|archive-date=April 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407001146/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/27/amazon-launches-aws-ground-station-satellite-data-collection-service.html|url-status=live}} In addition to connecting to ground stations to connect to the ground-based internet, satellites will interconnect via optical infrared laser connections.

Amazon refers to this technology as OISL (optical inter-satellite link). These lasers are capable of maintaining 100 Gbps over distances up to 2,600 km among two satellites moving at 25,000 km/h. Current in-space tests have demonstrated this speed up to a distance of 1,000km.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-14 |title=Amazon's Project Kuiper completes successful tests of optical mesh network in low Earth orbit |url=https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/amazon-project-kuiper-oisl-space-laser-december-2023-update |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=US About Amazon |language=en |archive-date=13 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113130803/https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/amazon-project-kuiper-oisl-space-laser-december-2023-update |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Loren |title=Amazon's Kuiper Orbital Internet System Will Include Important National Security Features |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2024/02/06/amazons-kuiper-orbital-internet-system-will-include-important-national-security-features/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

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Multiple customer terminal designs are planned for different market needs. Project Kuiper’s standard customer terminal is expected to measure less than 11 inches square and 1 inch thick, and weigh less than five pounds without its mounting bracket. The device is planned to deliver speeds up to 400 megabits per second (Mbps). Amazon expects to produce these terminals for less than $400 each.{{cite web|title=Here's your first look at Project Kuiper's low-cost customer terminals|date=March 14, 2023|publisher=Amazon|url=https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/heres-your-first-look-at-project-kuipers-low-cost-customer-terminals|access-date=22 July 2023|archive-date=18 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318080701/https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/heres-your-first-look-at-project-kuipers-low-cost-customer-terminals|url-status=live}}

An ultra-compact design 7-inch square customer terminal weighing one pound will offer speeds up to 100 Mbps. This design will connect residential customers for lower-costs, as well as government and enterprise customers pursuing applications like ground mobility and internet of things.

A high-bandwidth design 19 inches by 30 inches terminal will deliver speeds up to 1 gigabit per second.

Organizational headquarters for Kuiper Systems are located at an Amazon R&D facility in Redmond, Washington since 2020.{{cite news|last=Henry|first=Caleb|date=December 18, 2019|title=Amazon moving Project Kuiper team to new R&D headquarters|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/amazon-moving-project-kuiper-team-to-new-rd-headquarters/|access-date=February 20, 2020|archive-date=5 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405114142/https://spacenews.com/amazon-moving-project-kuiper-team-to-new-rd-headquarters/|url-status=live}} Development of satellite prototypes and production methods were initially performed at the Redmond site. Manufacturing and satellite production is located at 172,000-square-foot facility in nearby Kirkland, Washington.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-27 |title=Amazon expands satellite manufacturing at newly acquired Project Kuiper facility |url=https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/amazon-expands-satellite-manufacturing-at-newly-acquired-project-kuiper-facility |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=US About Amazon |language=en |archive-date=28 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028115353/https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/amazon-expands-satellite-manufacturing-at-newly-acquired-project-kuiper-facility |url-status=live }} The factory in Kirkland opened in April 2024 and is planned to manufacture five satellites per day at peak capacity. A logistics center in Everett, Washington, is expected to open in June 2024 to supply the Kirkland factory with kits assembled from raw materials.{{cite news |last=Rosenblatt |first=Lauren |date=May 14, 2024 |title=Amazon's satellite internet network Project Kuiper plans new Everett facility |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazon/amazons-satellite-internet-network-project-kuiper-plans-new-everett-facility/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=May 14, 2024}}

A satellite processing and integration facility is planned in Florida at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to integrate spacecraft for launch aboard Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance rockets from the spaceport. The 31,000-square-meter facility is not expected to be operational before early 2025, and Amazon will use a third-party payload processing facility until its own is fully commissioned.

• Satellite internet
• Satellite internet constellation
• Light pollution
• Starlink

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://projectkuiper.com}}

{{Amazon}}

{{Satellite constellations}}

Category:Aerospace companies of the United States

Category:Amazon (company)

Category:Private spaceflight companies

Category:Communications satellite constellations

Category:Communications satellites in low Earth orbit

Category:Satellite Internet access