The firm has filed an application with the FCC to join SpaceX, One Web and others in launching a constellation of satellites to provide broadband internet.
The plan: Amazon has asked for permission to launch 3,236 satellites into orbit as part of Project Kuiper. It says it wants to connect the tens of millions around the globe who don’t have broadband internet access.
Up and running: The satellites will fly at altitudes between 366 and 391 miles. They will de-orbit after ten years to mitigate the space debris risk, Geekwire reports. Amazon says it can start offering broadband satellite services once the first 578 satellites are in position.
Getting busy: By 2025 as many as 1,100 satellites could be launching every year—up from 365 in 2018. SpaceX has permission to fly 12,000 small satellites by 2027 as part of its Starlink constellation. It placed 60 in orbit in May so it already has the jump on Amazon.
Read more about all the planned satellite constellations in our article from the space issue — here.
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