Amazon is set to launch a fleet of 27 satellites into space on April 9, marking the first step towards providing fast and reliable internet services worldwide. The mission, named “KA-01” for Kuiper Atlas 1, will be livestreamed at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The satellites will be deployed at an altitude of 280 miles above Earth and are a significant upgrade from Amazon’s previous prototype satellites tested in October 2023. The new satellites feature improved performance and technology, including phased array antennas, processors, solar arrays, propulsion systems, and optical inter-satellite links.
Once launched, the satellites will begin a series of automated steps to activate onboard systems and ascend to their assigned orbit. They will travel at speeds over 17,000 miles per hour and circle the planet every 90 minutes. Amazon’s Project Kuiper aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet services to almost any location on Earth.
The satellite system will consist of more than 3,200 advanced low-Earth orbit satellites, with Amazon planning over 80 launches in total. The company expects to begin delivering its internet service to customers later this year. With the launch of KA-01, Amazon takes a major step towards becoming a major player in the global internet infrastructure market.
Source: https://www.foxbusiness.com/fox-news-air-space/amazon-send-fleet-satellites-space-step-provide-internet-service-customers