The Federal Communications Commission has granted approval to Amazon subordinate Kuiper Systems to deploy its configuration of 3,236 broadband satellite . The approval add up with the caution that Amazon must retire satellites seven age after deployment and report satellite launching to the FCC on a unconstipated basis .
The FCCapproval , issued on February 8 , grants Amazon ’s Project Kuiper license to begin deploying broadband satellites under sure condition outlined by the regulator . The FCC identifies Project Kuiper satellites ascollision risksshould ascertain be lost or the units experience intimate failures . Accordingly , Project Kuiper must provide semi - yearly reporting on the number of planet it launches as well as the rate at which itretires old satellites , in what is the regulator ’s attempt to preclude crash with other space vehicle in dispirited Earth orbit .
The approval also need Project Kuiper to retire planet in the configuration at the ending of their seven year missions . This necessary is bolstered by the FCC ’s 5 - twelvemonth formula , which wasadopted in September 2022 in an effort to reduce space junk . The 5 - year dominion requires satellites to be deorbited no more than five years after the end of their delegacy — a much shorter time frame compared to the premature 25 years .
Amazon has booked 83 launches for Project Kuiper satellites over the next five years.Image: Alex Wong (Getty Images)
“ Kuiper discover the ISS in its post - mission disposition plans , but give the on-going and persistent operations of habitable space post more often than not , such as the Tiangong space station , we condition the authorization to ask that such infinite stations be select into account , i.e. , Kuiper must ensure that sufficient propellant is available for its artificial satellite to go on to preserve collision avoidance capabilities and utilize other continue fuel to lower the apogee below any habitable outer space stations , ” the approval reads .
To remove satellite from orbital cavity , Project Kuiper plans to lower the satellite ’s perigee to an altitude of 218 miles ( 350 kilometre ) , where the denser atmosphere will make the space vehicle to disintegrate from orbit in one year . Any stay on propellant will be used to lower the satellite ’s apogee to that of less than the ISS — or any other place stations , per the FCC ’s raw conditions . Removing satellites from domain at the end of their life will serve reduce the chance of collisions with other ballistic capsule in low Earth celestial orbit .
Amazon got initial approval from the FCCin 2020to deploy non - geostationary satellites as part of Project Kuiper , with plans to set in motion a totality of 3,236 satellite that will operate in three carapace , so as to offer broadband internet around the globe to prop the company as a rival toSpaceX ’s Starlinkand British communicating companyOneWeb ’s constellation .
In December , the FCC granted SpaceX approval to launch 7,500 of its desired 29,988 Starlink satellites , saying it did n’t sanction the total amount in society to “ protect other satellite and terrestrial operators from harmful interference and maintain a safe space surroundings , promoting competition and protect spectrum and orbital resources for next use .
The FCC ’s license specifies that Amazon must launch one-half of Project Kuiper ’s must belaunched by 2026 , with the entire configuration launched by 2029 . Amazon did not forthwith return Gizmodo ’s request for comment on specific launch escort for Project Kuiper , but previous coverage indicates thatAmazon book 83 launchesfor Project Kuiper via Arianespace , Blue Origin , and United Launch Alliance over the next five years .
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