Amazon plans to launch prototype satellites for its Project Kuiper broadband program in early 2023. Its two prototype satellites—Kuipersat-1 and Kuipersat-2—will be completed later this year, and the company plans to deploy both on the first flight of United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) new Vulcan Centaur rocket.
Amazon created Project Kuiper to deliver fast, affordable broadband to unserved and underserved communities globally. It says the upcoming prototype mission will move the project one step closer to delivering on that vision.
ULA is scheduled to provide 47 launches for Amazon’s satellite constellation. Using Vulcan Centaur for this mission will give the company practical experience working together ahead of those launches, according to Amazon. The rocket will launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
“Our prototype mission will help us test how the different pieces of our satellite network work together, adding real-world data from space to results from our extensive lab testing, fieldwork, and simulation. We’ll use findings from the mission to help finalize design, deployment, and operational plans for our commercial satellite system, which will provide reliable, affordable broadband to customers around the world,” says Amazon.
Project Kuiper has secured 38 Kuiper launches on Vulcan. “Using the same launch vehicle for our prototype mission gives us a chance to practice payload integration, processing, and mission management procedures ahead of those full-scale commercial launches,” said Project Kuiper VP Technology Rajeev Badyal. “Our prototype satellites will be ready this year, and we look forward to flying with ULA.”
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