On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a key plan for Amazon's Project Kuiper internet satellites.
Amazon could launch its first two Low Earth Orbit satellites as early as this quarter, a first step in its plans to deploy a constellation of approximately 3,200 sats that would provide high-speed broadband connectivity to global users.
- The FCC initially gave approval in 2020 for Amazon to launch Project Kuiper, a geostationary satellite orbit system.
- Yesterday's approval was for an updated plan to mitigate orbital debris from the satellites in space.
- Under that plan, Amazon will have to report the number of satellites launched on a semi-annual basis. It will also have to inform the FCC when it fails to properly dispose of more than one satellite per year.
- The FCC also required Amazon to deorbit the satellites within seven years of the end of their operational life.
- Amazon plans to launch the first two prototype satellites aboard the United Launch Alliance's new Vulcan Centaur rocket, which is now undergoing pre-flight testing.
SpaceX recently launched its first 54 upgraded internet satellites, a new generation of its Starlink satellites designed to enhance network capacity. The company is expected to deploy 30,000 Gen2 satellites overall.
