Amazon's Kuiper Satellites Set for April 9 Launch

Amazon is set to launch 27 Project Kuiper satellites on April 9 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket, marking a significant step towards its goal of deploying a broadband internet network via more than 3,200 satellites in low-Earth orbit. The mission, named Kuiper Atlas-1 or KA-01, aims to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet globally, including to underserved areas. This effort is part of Amazon's $10 billion investment in the project, with plans for over 80 satellite launches involving partners like ULA, Blue Origin, and SpaceX. The launch will be the first full-scale deployment of operational satellites following the successful test of prototypes in 2023. The Kuiper satellites feature advanced technology, like phased array antennas and dielectric mirror films, and are part of Amazon's strategy to compete against SpaceX's Starlink, which currently leads the market with a constellation of over 7,100 satellites. Amazon must deploy half of its satellite constellation by July 2026 to meet FCC licensing requirements.