Interesting comment at TC Sessions: Space by Amazon’s David Limp about launching its Project Kuiper constellation: we hope that Blue Origin can provide launch capacity, but hope others will, too. Expecting to use multiple launch providers.
[CNBC] Amazon streamed 4K video from a satellite with a prototype antenna for its Kuiper internet networkAmazon testing Ka-band phased array antenna that will be used for Kuiper.
I see Amazon using Kuiper network to give their AWS customers a secure private connection to AWS network. This is especially important for their government customers.
I see Amazon using Kuiper network to give their AWS customers a secure private connection to AWS network. This is especially important for their government customers.Its matter of time before AWS competitors (Google and Microsoft) partner up with SpaceX to offer similar service.
Quote from: TrevorMonty on 12/17/2020 08:48 amI see Amazon using Kuiper network to give their AWS customers a secure private connection to AWS network. This is especially important for their government customers.I'm not sure why satellite internet access would be more secure than ground-based internet access. Aren't encryption methods exactly the same ?Perhaps you mean that satellites are by nature difficult to tamper with, unlike say intercontinental fiber cables ?
Isn't it the reverse, that other parties can listen in to communication via satellite more easily without any trace that any anything is going on?
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1339306611488288768QuoteInteresting comment at TC Sessions: Space by Amazon’s David Limp about launching its Project Kuiper constellation: we hope that Blue Origin can provide launch capacity, but hope others will, too. Expecting to use multiple launch providers.
“I’d say we are in the middle of our design phase,” Dave Limp, the senior vice president who’s in charge of Kuiper, said at a TechCrunch space conference.
Limp noted that creating a satellite internet constellation doesn’t come cheap. “We’ve already committed $10 billion to this effort. It may require more, but that’s the kind of good project that Amazon can do,” he said. “You know, it’s hard for a company that’s four people in a garage to put up a constellation.”After dealing with challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, Project Kuiper has begun using a newly remodeled research and development facility in Redmond, Wash., Limp said. “The reason it needed dedicated facilities is, the equipment needed to test and service and build prototypes of this nature is just very different than it would be to build an Echo or even a robot for one of our fulfillment centers,” he said. “We need vacuum chambers, and we need very big antennas to test the radio frequencies.”Limp said Project Kuiper started the year with about 150 employees. “I think our goal to end the year is about three X that,” he said. “We’re kind of on that path, plus or minus a few people.” Nearly 140 job openings, including 110 in Redmond, are listed on Amazon’s website for Project Kuiper.
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/19/amazon-signs-ula-rockets-to-launch-bezos-kuiper-internet-satellites.htmlQuoteAmazon signs with ULA for rockets to launch Jeff Bezos’ Kuiper internet satellitesPUBLISHED MON, APR 19 202112:01 PM EDTMichael Sheetz@THESHEETZTWEETZKEY POINTSAmazon signed a contract for nine launches of its Project Kuiper internet satellites on United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rockets.“We’re determined to make affordable broadband a reality for customers and communities around the world,” Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said in a statement.Amazon noted that it “will need multiple launch vehicles and launch partners” to deploy Kuiper satellites on time leaving the door open for future deals with the likes of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Bezos’ space company Blue Origin, or European launcher Arianespace.
Amazon signs with ULA for rockets to launch Jeff Bezos’ Kuiper internet satellitesPUBLISHED MON, APR 19 202112:01 PM EDTMichael Sheetz@THESHEETZTWEETZKEY POINTSAmazon signed a contract for nine launches of its Project Kuiper internet satellites on United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rockets.“We’re determined to make affordable broadband a reality for customers and communities around the world,” Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said in a statement.Amazon noted that it “will need multiple launch vehicles and launch partners” to deploy Kuiper satellites on time leaving the door open for future deals with the likes of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Bezos’ space company Blue Origin, or European launcher Arianespace.
Wow, that’s going to cost a bitQuote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/19/2021 04:10 pmhttps://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/19/amazon-signs-ula-rockets-to-launch-bezos-kuiper-internet-satellites.htmlQuoteAmazon signs with ULA for rockets to launch Jeff Bezos’ Kuiper internet satellitesPUBLISHED MON, APR 19 202112:01 PM EDTMichael Sheetz@THESHEETZTWEETZKEY POINTSAmazon signed a contract for nine launches of its Project Kuiper internet satellites on United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rockets.“We’re determined to make affordable broadband a reality for customers and communities around the world,” Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said in a statement.Amazon noted that it “will need multiple launch vehicles and launch partners” to deploy Kuiper satellites on time leaving the door open for future deals with the likes of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Bezos’ space company Blue Origin, or European launcher Arianespace.
What’s that, $100m per launch? Lifting what - maybe 30-40 Kuiper satellites each?
Quote from: M.E.T. on 04/19/2021 04:37 pmWhat’s that, $100m per launch? Lifting what - maybe 30-40 Kuiper satellites each?The press release shows an Atlas V 551.The commercial price* (GTO only but can assume the same for bulk buy LEO missions) on an Atlas V 551 was $153 million. Max capacity to LEO is 18,850 kg.Comparatively Vulcan is supposed to be much less expensive for the base core and could fly the same mission with only 2 solids. Amazon is paying for the much more expensive 5 meter fairing that wraps around Centaur 4 & 3 extra solids than they would be for Vulcan, NEVERMIND what was supposed to be the less expensive to manufacture core and 1st stage engines. That 5m fairing is expensive, there is an $11 million difference between Atlas V 401 and 501 in ULA's pricing.*Pricing has been removed from ULA's rocket builder.
Quote from: GWH on 04/19/2021 04:48 pmQuote from: M.E.T. on 04/19/2021 04:37 pmWhat’s that, $100m per launch? Lifting what - maybe 30-40 Kuiper satellites each?The press release shows an Atlas V 551.The commercial price* (GTO only but can assume the same for bulk buy LEO missions) on an Atlas V 551 was $153 million. Max capacity to LEO is 18,850 kg.Comparatively Vulcan is supposed to be much less expensive for the base core and could fly the same mission with only 2 solids. Amazon is paying for the much more expensive 5 meter fairing that wraps around Centaur 4 & 3 extra solids than they would be for Vulcan, NEVERMIND what was supposed to be the less expensive to manufacture core and 1st stage engines. That 5m fairing is expensive, there is an $11 million difference between Atlas V 401 and 501 in ULA's pricing.*Pricing has been removed from ULA's rocket builder.So assuming 60 Kuiper sats for $150m, that’s $2.5m launch cost per sat. Interesting. Let your mind make whatever comparisons one might deem appropriate at this point.
These are the last Atlas V that needed to go, a discount is not out of the question to get rid of them as fast as possible to make space for Vulcan and discontinu that assembly line (to lower operating cost).
Quote from: b0objunior on 04/19/2021 05:04 pmThese are the last Atlas V that needed to go, a discount is not out of the question to get rid of them as fast as possible to make space for Vulcan and discontinu that assembly line (to lower operating cost).Atlas is on the hook for Starliner Flights for at least several more years.
