Amazon builds new Florida satellite tv for pc facility for its Starlink rival

Amazon’s Starlink rival, Challenge Kuiper, is shifting nearer to liftoff. The corporate introduced at this time {that a} new $120 million satellite-processing facility for the initiative is underneath development at Kennedy Area Middle in Florida. Amazon plans to launch its first satellites “within the coming months,” adopted by the primary buyer pilots subsequent yr.

Like Elon Musk’s Starlink, Challenge Kuiper goals to supply quick and reasonably priced satellite tv for pc broadband to areas “unserved or underserved by conventional web and communications choices.” (It’s an Amazon initiative however ought to get pleasure from a comfy relationship with Blue Origin, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.) Challenge Kuiper kickstarted in 2018, receiving FCC satellite tv for pc licensing two years later. The corporate plans to create a constellation of three,236 satellites to supply seamless broadband protection for rural customers. Amazon hasn’t but introduced client pricing, however it hints at budget-friendly plans, saying, “affordability is a key precept of Challenge Kuiper.” The corporate additionally intends to supply a number of velocity / pricing tiers.

Kuiper’s satellites might be assembled at a brand new “state-of-the-art manufacturing facility” in Kirkland, Washington, by the tip of 2023. The brand new Florida set up will obtain the satellite tv for pc shipments, carry out ultimate preparations forward of their business deployment. Amazon says it’s secured launches from Blue Origin, Arianespace and United Launch Alliance (ULA). Most items will deploy from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Area Drive Station, close to the brand new processing facility.

Amazon touted Challenge Kuiper’s anticipated job creation. It says over 1,400 individuals are already engaged on it, and the corporate expects the initiative to finally assist hundreds of suppliers and extremely expert jobs — particularly in Alabama, Florida and Colorado.