Amazon's Project Kuiper Blazes Ahead With Ultra-Fast Satellite Links
Amazon's Project Kuiper has made significant strides in its space internet constellation. It has established ultra-fast optical inter-satellite links and partnered with SpaceX and the European Ariane 6 program for launches.
The constellation has swiftly created 100 Gbps optical links between satellites, achieving this in mere seconds of acquisition. Performance tests have surpassed expectations, with downlink speeds reaching up to 1.8 Gbps and uplinks around 450 Mbps.
Amazon has joined forces with SpaceX and the European Ariane 6 program for rocket launches. This collaboration aims to deploy half of the planned 3,232 Kuiper satellites by July. The first services are expected by the end of the first quarter of 2026, covering the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, and France.
Initially facing a one-year delay due to relying on new launch vehicles, the project is now on track. By the end of 2026, services will be available in approximately 26 countries. Amazon plans to double the constellation's size this year, with three more launches adding over 200 satellites. All 102 deployed satellites are functioning nominally as they move to their final orbital positions.
By approximately 2028, Project Kuiper aims to provide full global coverage, including the poles, in about 88 to 100 countries. This will be followed by the launch of an additional 3,200 satellites as part of its Gen 2 constellation.
Amazon's Project Kuiper is progressing rapidly towards its goal of providing global broadband internet access from space. With successful link establishment, strategic partnerships, and impressive performance tests, the project is on track to meet its FCC license conditions and expand its services worldwide.
