A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with a payload of 27 of Amazon’s Challenge Kuiper web satellites lifts off from Launch Advanced 41 on the Cape Canaveral House Power Station on Monday.
John Raoux/AP
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John Raoux/AP
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Amazon’s first batch of web satellites rocketed into orbit Monday, the newest entry within the mega constellation market presently dominated by SpaceX’s hundreds of Starlinks.
The United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket carried up 27 of Amazon’s Challenge Kuiper satellites, named after the frigid fringes of our photo voltaic system past Neptune. As soon as launched in orbit, the satellites will finally attain an altitude of almost 400 miles (630 kilometers).
Two take a look at satellites have been launched in 2023, additionally by an Atlas V. Challenge officers stated main upgrades have been made to the latest model. The most recent satellites are also coated with a mirror movie designed to scatter mirrored daylight in an try to accommodate astronomers.
Stargazers oppose the fast-growing constellations of low-orbiting satellites, arguing they spoil observations. Others worry extra satellite tv for pc collisions.
Based by Jeff Bezos, who now runs his personal rocket firm, Blue Origin, Amazon goals to place greater than 3,200 of those satellites into orbit to supply quick, reasonably priced broadband service across the globe.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX already has launched greater than 8,000 Starlinks since 2019. The corporate marked its 250th Starlink launch Sunday evening. Greater than 7,000 Starlinks are nonetheless in orbit some 300-plus miles (550 kilometers) above Earth.
The European-based OneWeb satellite tv for pc constellation numbers within the lots of in an excellent greater orbit.
Amazon already has bought dozens of rocket launches from United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin for Challenge Kuiper, in addition to others.
“There are some issues you may solely study in flight” regardless of intensive testing on the bottom, stated Rajeev Badyal, the mission’s vp.
“Irrespective of how the mission unfolds, that is simply the beginning of our journey,” he stated in an announcement forward of the night liftoff.
The primary liftoff try earlier this month was nixed by unhealthy climate. It took till now to safe one other spot within the launch lineup at Cape Canaveral House Power Station.
