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Project Kuiperis whatAmazonis callingits satellite internet configuration serviceand its reply to SpaceX ’s Starlink , and here are six key things to be intimate about it . planet internet service is n’t actually Modern , as there were a handful of providers back in the 90s , like Celestron , Iridium , and Globalstar . But they did n’t provide a service on the weighing machine as services like Starlink . They also had very few satellite .
Amazonis the in style tech titan to step into the satellite broadband market . Like SpaceX ’s Starlink , Amazon wants to use satellites to provide broadband service to communities that are “ unserved and underserved ” by existing technologies . Known for its low - price ironware product like theEcho Dot and the Fire TV Stick , Amazon ’s Project Kuiper should be affordable as well .
6What Is Project Kuiper?
Project Kuiper is Amazon ’s scummy Earth orbit ( LEO ) planet connection and , like Starlink , will provide broadband cyberspace service to places where there is poor or no internet connectivity . evolution begin in 2018 , and the FCC granted Amazon a license in 2020 to deploy and operate Project Kuiper satellites . The name “ Project Kuiper ” was originally an intimate codename , but it appears Amazon is sticking to it as the final name .
The name fare from the Kuiper Belt , which is a donut - influence closed chain of gelid objects around the sun that is standardized to the asteroid whack but is several times heavy . While Project Kuiper requires satellites to mold , it is n’t a part of Blue Origin , the aerospace companionship that was also founded by Jeff Bezos . The serve is part of the Devices and Services division that plow Echo , Fire TV , Eero , and Ring devices .
5How Project Kuiper Works
Project Kuiper is a satellite internet configuration armed service that requires chiliad of low - earthly concern orbital cavity satellites to work . The service isdesigned to include 3,236 satellites , although the number will likely increase if and when Amazon want to amend and extend coverage . However , satellites are only one of three part of the equation . Ground base , which includes gateway terminals that securely transmit and receive data from and to the orbiter , is also a necessary part .
The third is the customer terminal , which is an outdoor feeler . This isthe machine that communicates with the satellitespassing above . Amazon will offer three types of customer terminals that pop the question varying speeds and have disagree costs . They will be power by a tradition chip codenamed “ Prometheus ” that is designed by Amazon . The chip will have a exchangeable processing power to a 5 GB modem found in smartphones . Prometheus will also be used in Project Kuiper ’s satellite and flat coat gateway antenna , with the potentiality to process up to 1 terabit per minute of traffic .
4Who Can Use Project Kuiper?
Project Kuiper can be used by individuals , households , businesses , government means , school , and hospitals . Since there will be three customer terminus available , client will be able-bodied to choosewhich of them good become their needs . The gimcrack will be a portable and compact terminal that has a 7 - column inch square innovation and weighs just 1 lb . There will also be a received terminal plan for households and modest job . It will be 11 inches in sizing , have a thickness of 1 inch , and librate under 5 lbs . The largest end will assess 19 × 30 inches and is design for enterprise users , government agencies , and telecommunications program .
3How Fast Is Project Kuiper?
Project Kuiper will offer different speed based on the terminal in use . The portable depot will provide speeds of up to 100 Mbps , while the standard terminus will providespeeds of up to 400 Mbps . The largest end will deliver speeds of up to 1 Gbps .
2When Will Project Kuiper Launch?
There is still a bit of a time lag before Project Kuiper begin commercial operations . quite a little yield of its artificial satellite is expect to start out by the end of 2023 . But the company will found two epitome satellites via the Vulcan Centaur rocket , which is scheduled for escape on May 4 . The first batch of mass - produce satellite will launch in the first half of next class and the first set of customers are have a bun in the oven to get access code to the service by the end of 2024 .
In addition , Amazon enunciate the FCC license mandate that at least half of its satellite constellation be deployed by July 2026 . The service is expected to commence a broad rollout in 2025 , with Amazon intending todeploy the overhaul to several state .
1How Much Does Project Kuiper Cost?
Pricing contingent for the client terminals and service of process plan are currently unavailable , which is n’t surprising since the service is yet to begin . However , the standard terminal is await to be develop for less than $ 400 each and should give possible customers an idea of how much the hardware will be . Amazon also did n’t reveal ifProject Kuiperterminals will be bundled with a router like Starlink does or if it will be compatible with subsist router .
MORE : How SpaceX ’s Starlink Satellites Will pop Cellular Dead Zones
Source : Amazon 1,2
