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Summary: Amazon catches up with SpaceX with satellite internet race
Last month, the number of Amazon’s internet-brilliant Kuiper satellites in orbit reached almost three digits. By last week, the world’s largest retailer had taken away its first contract to supply airlines with in-flight WiFi. Many have already signed up to hire rival services for SpaceX’s Starlink MegaContellation.
There was always the first airline to jump to Amazon’s Low Earth Orbit Satellite Network and test Project Kuiper’s fast, reliable connectivity pledge. JetBlue’s decision to tap services on certain aircraft and improve WiFi perks within Flyfee from 2027 leaves a big gap as Amazon bridges Starlink’s catch-up.
But Amazon’s fledgling victory injects new challenges in the satellite-powered internet market, which is increasingly emerging as the dominant player, despite competition with Eutelsat’s OneWeb, China’s Spacesat and Viasat. Certainly, Amazon’s project Kuiper Constellation is still in its early days, with only 102 satellites in orbit. This is a decline in the ocean compared to the 1,600 units that the Federal Communications Commission has targeted Jeff Bezos company by July 2029. Starlink is permitted to be released by the FCC under the first approval of the 12,000 spacecraft as of September 8th.
Musk’s Starlink has a scaled start edge that helps SpaceX’s substantial launch capabilities. The company had impressively notched the launch of 100 Falcon 9s by mid-August, and 72 of these spaceflights were equipped with Starlink satellites. Meanwhile, Bezos’ Blue Origin only took on the heavy lift New Glen maiden flight in January this year.
In the interim, Amazon’s first Kuiper Batch reached low orbit courtesy of the services of other commercial providers, including the United Alliance’s Atlas V rocket and, perhaps ironically, Musk and Bezos’ previous satellite feud.
There is a reason the satellite internet provisioning market is intensifying. Global satellite operators are planning to have approximately 70,000 LEO satellite plans for launch between 2025 and 2031. According to a March report by GoldmanSachs, head of Greater China Technology Research Allen Chang at the time said, “We expect the mainstream use cases of satellite internet technology to become 6G communications. While commercial deployment of 6G is not expected for at least five years, the ramp-up of LEO satellite services could benefit roughly 2.5 billion people, or 30.5% of the world’s population.
SpaceX is not idle as Amazon is preparing to enter the arena by the second half of 2025 and provide customer service. This week, the company agreed to a roughly $17 billion deal to buy Echostar’s wireless spectrum license and Bolster Starlink’s 5G business.
what happened
The fate of the problematic and costly SLS rocket – With NASA’s fierce budget about to be decided over the coming weeks, we are focusing on whether the costly SLS rocket (which its launch commands a $4 billion price tag) will be cut. – Ars Technica
Space travel can promote stem cell aging, research shows that astronauts’ bones lose density and genes change expression. – NBC News
NASA rovers find potential signs of life on Mars. Samples collected by NASA’s Patience Rover from rocks in “Chayaba Falls” revealed biosignatures suggesting past potential lives in the red plant. – Space and defense
The solar origin of superfast electrons has been announced – the European Space Agency’s solar orbiter has identified two types of solar energy electrons (see) with different sources of solar flare and coronal mass emissions. – European Space Agency
Industry operations
US Losing Space Race to China Due to Spacecraft Delay: Former NASA Head – Former NASA Chief Jim Bridenteen said the US is behind Beijing in space races due to continued delays with SpaceX spacecraft, which was chosen as the heart of the astronauts program. – Independence
NASA targets multiple crews from the ISS ERA onwards. NASA proposed a proposal for future manned offices following the planned retirement of the International Space Station at the end of the decade. – Extreme technology
Space Force deploying Geo Comms’ small satellites – US space forces are transforming into small Earth communications satellites under a protected, tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) program. – Space News
Spacex Dragon Capsule Nudges Iss Iss Earth -SpaceX Drago Cargo Capsule has completed important tests, boosting the International Space Station from Earth. Visiting cargo spacecraft historically visiting Russian progressive spacecrafts usually periodically pushes IS high from Earth’s orbit when the facility returns naturally to Earth. – Space.com
NASA prohibits Chinese citizens from working on space programs. NASA had restricted Chinese citizens from working on space agency programs on US visas during heating races between the two countries to reach the moon. – Bloomberg
Market Movers
SpaceX purchases Echostar’s wireless spectrum license. SpaceX raises Echostar’s wireless spectrum license in a $17 billion deal that will help expand the Starlink Satellite Network’s 5G connectivity capabilities. – Reuters
SpaceTech Astradyne will raise 2 million euros from space solar panels. Italy’s Astradyne won 2 million euros ($2.34 million) through the Primo Space Fund at the Seed Investment Round, led by Primo Capital, through the Primo Space Fund, through ultra-light solar panels designed for use in the space. – eu-startups.com
Nordspace attempts to launch Taiga by mid-September – Nordspace hopes to achieve Canada’s first commercial space launch with Taiga Rocket takeoff by mid-September. The company previously did not lift the rocket in August. – vocm
On the horizon
September 11 – Roscosmos ‘Soyuz 2.1a exiting Baikonur, Kazakhstan, equipped with International Space Station equipment
September 12 – Roscosmos’ Soyuz 2.1b departs Russia’s Plesetsk using Glonass-K1 navigation satellite
September 13th – SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launches on Starlink satellites from California
September 14th – SpaceX’s Falcon 9 takes off from Florida on a Cygnus NG-23 spacecraft equipped with supplies at the International Space Station
September 15th – Long-standing March 2C of China Aerospace Science and Technology Co., Ltd. leaves behind an unknown payload from China Jukan
September 17th – SpaceX’s Falcon 9 departing from California
