Kuiper Systems

"Project Kuiper" redirects here. For other projects named Kuiper, see Kuiper (disambiguation).

Kuiper Systems LLC
Company typeTelecommunications
FoundedApril 2019; 5 years ago (2019-04)
FounderJeff Bezos
HeadquartersRedmond, Washington, U.S.
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Rajeev Badyal (president)
Number of employees
1,400 (July 2023)[1]
ParentAmazon
WebsiteOfficial website

Kuiper Systems LLC, also known as Project Kuiper, is a subsidiary of Amazon that was established in 2019 to deploy a large satellite internet constellation to provide low-latency broadband connectivity.[2][3] The name Kuiper was a company codename for the project inspired by the Kuiper belt.

The Federal Communications Commission granted Amazon approval to deploy a constellation of 3,236 satellites into low Earth orbit.[4] Deployment is planned in five phases, and internet service will begin once the first 578 satellites are launched. Under its granted FCC license, Amazon is required to launch and operate 50% of its satellites no later than July 30, 2026, and must launch and operate the remaining satellites no later than July 30, 2029.[5] Two initial prototype satellites, “KuiperSat-1” and “KuiperSat-2” launched on October 6, 2023 on an Atlas V rocket operated by United Launch Alliance from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.[6][7]

Amazon has purchased 92 rocket launches with United Launch Alliance, ArianeGroup and Blue Origin[8] for a total of over US$10 billion. In 2024, additional launches were purchased from SpaceX which operates the competing Starlink satellite internet constellation.[9]

  1. ^ Rainbow, Jason (21 July 2023). "Amazon picks Kennedy Space Center for Project Kuiper processing facility". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference cnbc20190404 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference sn20190404 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ In the Matter of Kuiper Systems LLC Application for Authority to Deploy and Operate a Ka-band Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit System (PDF). Federal Communications Commission (Report) (FCC 20-102 ed.). 29 July 2020. IBFS File No. SAT-LOA-20190704-00057. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  5. ^ Jewett, Rachel (9 February 2023). "FCC Approves Amazon Kuiper Orbital Debris Plan, Clearing Way for Deployment". Via Satellite. Archived from the original on 3 July 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  6. ^ Clark, Stephen (7 August 2023). "Amazon shifts launch of its first Internet satellites to Atlas V rocket". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 8 August 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Atlas V rocket launches Amazon's 1st 2 internet satellites to orbit (Video)". Space.com. 6 October 2023. Archived from the original on 6 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference ars20220405 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2024falcon9 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).