Amazon postpones launch of Project Kuiper, SpaceX Starlink's main internet satellite competitor

Amazon has encountered another delay in the process of realising Project Kuiper. Everything goes to the point that the company will not be able to launch the first satellites into space by the end of summer.

Here's What We Know

Amazon planned to put two prototype spacecraft into orbit in the summer of 2023. The delay is due to the unreadiness of the Vulcan Centaur rocket. United Launch Alliance (ULA) had to reschedule the launch for later in the year.

Unfortunately, ULA was unable to launch as scheduled. The rocket was scheduled to launch in March, but the mission had to be postponed indefinitely due to an explosion. The operator recently said that more time is needed to prepare the Vulcan Centaur launch.

This is not the first time Amazon has postponed a mission to put prototype satellites into orbit. The company initially planned to send them into space in late 2022, but in mid-autumn the launch was pushed back to the first quarter of this year.

Amazon already has permission to put 3,000 satellites into orbit. According to the licence from the US Federal Communications Commission, half of the Project Kuiper spacecraft should be operational by 30 July 2026. If that doesn't happen, the regulator has the right to revoke the licence.

Source: PCMag