In a rare collaboration between tech rivals, Amazon is relying on Elon Musk’s SpaceX to launch the next batch of its Kuiper internet satellites. Despite being competitors in the satellite internet space, Amazon will use a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to send 24 Kuiper satellites into orbit. The launch is scheduled from Florida’s Space Coast, with a 27-minute window opening at 2:18 a.m. ET, weather permitting. The mission, named “KF-01,” will be livestreamed on X, the platform owned by Musk.
This move highlights the growing urgency for Amazon to meet its satellite deployment goals. Amazon launched Project Kuiper in 2019, aiming to build a broadband internet network using over 3000 low-earth orbit satellites. The company is under a strict Federal Communications Commission deadline to get 1600 satellites in orbit by July 2026.
So far, Amazon has completed two Kuiper launches in April and June this year using rockets from United Launch Alliance, sending up 27 satellites each time. If this launch succeeds, Amazon will have 78 satellites in orbit. To meet its goals, the company has secured up to 83 rocket launches, including three from SpaceX.
Project Kuiper is a major part of Amazon’s long-term strategy, with over $10 billion already committed and potential total costs reaching $23 billion, excluding the cost of user terminals. Analysts estimate that Amazon is spending around $150 million per launch in 2024 and expects satellite production to cost $1.1 billion by the end of the year.
While Musk’s Starlink leads the market with around 8000 satellites and 5 million customers, analysts believe the satellite internet market could reach at least $40 billion by 2030. If Amazon captures 30% of this market, it could generate $7.1 billion in revenue by 2032
“With Starlink’s solid early growth, our estimates could be conservative,” analysts noted.
The race for space continues as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos also competes with Musk through his rocket company Blue Origin, which recently launched its powerful New Glenn rocket.
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