Amazon planning 3,236-satellite constellation for internet connectivity

WASHINGTON — Amazon is joining the list of companies planning a constellation of thousands of satellites for broadband internet connectivity.

The internet shopping giant has asked international spectrum regulators to provide access to airwaves for a constellation of 3,236 satellites.

Amazon’s constellation is filed under the name Kuiper Systems with the International Telecommunication Union. Amazon confirmed its connection to Kuiper Systems in a statement to SpaceNews.

“Project Kuiper is a new initiative to launch a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites that will provide low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world,” Amazon said. “This is a long-term project that envisions serving tens of millions of people who lack basic access to broadband internet. We look forward to partnering on this initiative with companies that share this common vision.”

News of Amazon’s constellation application was first reported by GeekWire.

The Amazon constellation calls for three layers of satellites — 784 in a 590-kilometer orbit, 1,156 in a 630-kilometer orbit, and 1,296 in a 610-kilometer orbit.

Many details about Amazon’s proposed constellation remain unknown, such as who would build the satellites and when Amazon hopes to have them in orbit. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos also founded the launch company Blue Origin, which is developing a reusable rocket called New Glenn to launch government and commercial satellites.

New Glenn’s first flight is expected in 2021.

Amazon and Lockheed Martin started a ground station service in November to support communications with satellites, particularly those in low Earth orbit.

Amazon has not yet applied with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission for domestic market access with its constellation. That application would include more details about the constellation, including how Amazon would deorbit satellites to maintain a sustainable space environment.

Amazon’s proposed constellation would circle the Earth much closer than some of the other broadband constellations under development.

OneWeb, for example, is targeting 1,200 kilometers for its initial constellation of 650 satellites.

Telesat plans to have satellites in 1,000-kilometer and 1,250-kilometer orbits, though it’s not clear how many of its envisioned 292-satellite system would go in each orbit, since the target size of the constellation is 58 satellites above what the FCC approved for U.S. market access.

LeoSat’s proposed constellation of 108 satellites would operate at 1,400 kilometers.

SpaceX wants to operate most of its future 4,425-satellite constellation between the altitudes of 1,110 and 1,325 kilometers (though the company asked the FCC in November to authorize 1,584 satellites at a lower 550-kilometer orbit).

Not every spectrum application indicates that a constellation will come to reality. Boeing applied in 2016 with the FCC for a constellation of between 1,396 and 2,956 satellites, but said last June that it hadn’t moved forward with those plans. The FCC’s international bureau told SpaceNews that Boeing has withdrawn two applications in the past year.

Amazon’s system, if realized, will likely cost billions of dollars, not unlike the projected cost of constellations for SpaceX, OneWeb, Telesat and LeoSat. Bezos said last year that he already sells $1 billion in Amazon stock annually to fund Blue Origin.

source: spacenews.com