Project Kuiper: Amazon to Rival Elon Musk’s Starlink in Satellite Internet Tussle

• Amazon is set to launch several rockets to put about 1,500 satellites into low Earth orbit for its Project Kuiper broadband internet constellation

• The project aims to offer satellite internet services to millions of people around the world, who are currently underserved

• The internet project has been in the works for three years and would be competing directly with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite broadband service

Project Kuiper, the space internet initiative from Amazon, has announced today that it had signed rocket deals with 3 companies for up to 83 satellite launches. The company intends to put 1,500 satellites into low Earth orbit over the next 5 years, for its broadband internet constellation.

The tech giant disclosed that contracts have been signed for 38 launches with United Launch Alliance, 18 launches with Arianespace, and 12 launches with Blue Origin. There is also an option for an additional 15 launches with the latter.

Project Kuiper aims to offer satellite broadband internet services to millions of people around the world that don’t have adequate access.

Read also: Twitter Shares Shoot Up 25% as Elon Musk Takes 9.2% Stake in Company

If Amazon follows through on the reservation, the Jeff Bezos-owned company will rival Elon Musk’s SpaceX’s Starlink in offering the same service. Amazon’s Project Kuiper however remains far behind as Starlink’s broadband service has already launched, and is available on a limited basis.

Project Kuiper plans to launch a total of 3,236 satellite constellations to catch up with its rival and the FCC license requires that at least half of this goes up by 2026. The company claims that it is on track to meet that schedule, starting with its first launch before the end of 2022.

Follow Naija.FM on our social media handles Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to keep up with trending news, breaking news, and entertainment news.