CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Amazon took a significant step in its quest to compete with SpaceX’s broadband network as it launched the first set of test satellites for its planned internet service on Friday. The historic liftoff of United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Atlas V rocket marked the beginning of a program aimed at enhancing global internet coverage with a constellation of 3,236 satellites orbiting Earth.
With plans to start offering internet service by the end of the next year, Amazon is making strides to become a major player in the satellite internet market. SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, initiated its Starlink satellite project in 2018, deploying the first test satellites that year, followed by the launch of operational satellites in 2019. To date, SpaceX has launched over 5,000 Starlink satellites, utilizing its Falcon rockets from launch facilities in Florida and California.
Notably, Europe’s Eutelsat OneWeb has also been actively deploying its own internet satellites, with approximately 600 currently in orbit.
Originally, Amazon had intended to place its test satellites on ULA’s Vulcan rocket for their inaugural launch. However, due to issues delaying the Vulcan’s debut until at least the end of this year, Amazon opted for the well-established Atlas V rocket instead.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) imposed specific conditions when granting licensing for Amazon’s satellite program, mandating that at least half of the planned satellites must be operational by 2026, with the remainder to follow suit by 2029. In order to accomplish this ambitious goal, Amazon has reserved 77 launches from various providers, including ULA, Blue Origin, and Europe’s Arianespace.
As the race for global satellite internet supremacy continues to intensify, Amazon’s foray into the space-based internet industry is poised to bring forth new opportunities and challenges, shaping the future of connectivity on a global scale.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
