Amazon Asks US Government To Allow Launch Of Two Satellite Prototypes From Project Kuiper

Amazon's rocket that will carry the Kuiper Project. (photo; twitter)

JAKARTA -

Amazon, which has pledged to spend at least $10 billion to build the 3,236 satellites through its Project Kuiper program, said the test and demonstration launch was "an important step toward Amazon's goal of delivering high-capacity, low-latency broadband communications services to tens of millions of consumers and businesses." the underserved and the underserved."

Amazon said Monday that it "continues to invest in Project Kuiper as we approach full production launch and prepare to serve tens of millions of customers worldwide."

In 2020, the FCC approved Project Kuiper's plans for a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites to compete with the Starlink network being built by Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Amazon has been arguing with Musk, recently accusing the billionaire of ignoring various government-imposed rules, including some Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.

"The behavior of SpaceX and other companies led by Musk makes their view clear: rules are for other people, and those who insist or even just ask for compliance, deserve derision and ad hominem attacks," Amazon wrote. "If the FCC regulates the hypocrisy, SpaceX will keep the commission very busy."

Amazon founders Jeff Bezos and Musk are rivals in the private space launch business. Bezos' Blue Origin has challenged the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) decision to award SpaceX a $2.9 billion lunar lander contract.

SpaceX accused Amazon in its own filing with the FCC of seeking to delay SpaceX's plans: "While SpaceX has continued to deploy more than 1,700 satellites, Amazon has not even attempted to address radio frequency interference and orbital debris issues that must be resolved before Amazon can deploy its constellations. ".