Amazon
NASA selects six companies to demonstrate commercial successors to TDRS
Six companies, including both traditional satellite operators and constellation developers, have won NASA awards to demonstrate services that could ultimately replace the agency’s existing fleet of communications satellites.
Tory Bruno: Amazon’s launch contracts a ‘big deal’ for U.S. and allies’ industrial competitiveness
Tory Bruno said Amazon's launch contracts are not just significant for the winners but also for the industrial competitiveness of Western nations following Russia’s exit from the global launch market
Amazon hails progress in driving down Project Kuiper antenna costs
An Amazon executive said the cost to produce antennas for its proposed Project Kuiper megaconstellation is already “well under $500,” even as SpaceX retreats from the subsidized $499 price it charges customers for its operational Starlink terminals.
Amazon launch contracts drive changes to launch vehicle production
United Launch Alliance is planning major production improvements for its Vulcan rocket while Arianespace will increase the performance of its Ariane 6 to meet the demands of their new Amazon contracts for Project Kuiper.
Amazon signs multibillion-dollar Project Kuiper launch contracts
In the largest commercial launch deal ever, Amazon is purchasing up to 83 launches from Arianespace, Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance to deploy most of its 3,236-satellite Project Kuiper broadband megaconstellation
New center to coordinate work to mitigate effect of satellite constellations on astronomy
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is establishing a center to help astronomers deal with the adverse effects of satellite constellations.
Amazon’s Alexa to be tested on Artemis 1
The upcoming uncrewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft will include a payload to see how a voice recognition technology widely available to consumers today could be used to assist astronauts on future missions.
Verizon announces intent to use Amazon’s planned Project Kuiper constellation
Verizon Communications is working with Amazon to develop solutions for its proposed Project Kuiper megaconstellation, with the aim of using the satellites to extend connectivity services to more rural and remote communities across the United States.
SpaceX says Amazon’s call to dismiss Starlink amendment is a delay tactic
SpaceX has hit back at Amazon over its attempt to block amended plans for a second-generation Starlink constellation, calling it a delay tactic to slow down competition.
Facebook underlines satellite commitment after team joins Amazon’s Project Kuiper
Facebook said it remains committed to using space-based technology for improving global connectivity, after agreeing to transfer a group of satellite experts to work on Amazon’s low-Earth-orbit megaconstellation Project Kuiper.
Amazon contracts nine Atlas 5 missions for Kuiper broadband satellites
Amazon has ordered nine Atlas 5 rockets from United Launch Alliance to help place its 3,236-strong Project Kuiper broadband constellation.
Amazon unveils flat-panel customer terminal for Kuiper constellation
Amazon has tested what it describes as a low-cost flat-panel antenna for use with its Project Kuiper constellation, an innovation that could be essential to the long-term success of satellite broadband.
Report outlines measures to reduce impact of satellite constellations on astronomy
A new report offers ways both astronomers and satellite developers can reduce the effect megaconstellations have on ground-based astronomy, but warned that no combination of measures can entirely eliminate the problem,
AWS completes six ground stations, changes rollout strategy
Amazon Web Services has slowed the rollout of its ground station network to accommodate customer feedback about the best locations to place its antennas.
Amazon’s Kuiper constellation gets FCC approval
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on July 30 approved Amazon’s request to operate a constellation of roughly 3,200 internet satellites in low Earth orbit.
Amazon Web Services establishes space-focused business unit
Amazon Web Services is increasing its effort to sell cloud services to the space industry through the formation of a dedicated business segment called “Aerospace and Satellite Solutions.”
Satellite operators hint at fear of SpaceX, Blue Origin becoming competitors
Executives from SES and Eutelsat said they are watching as SpaceX deploys its own Starlink constellation of broadband satellites, which could make SpaceX one of their competitors.
Amazon moving Project Kuiper team to new R&D headquarters
Amazon on Dec. 18 said its Project Kuiper team will move in 2020 to a permanent research and development headquarters with state-of-the-art facilities for designing and testing its planned megaconstellation of broadband satellites.
Inflection point within the year for megaconstellations?
An inflection point is coming in the next six to twelve months for the multibillion dollar satellite megaconstellations, when it will become apparent which ones are likely to succeed and which ones “will take a pause or exit,” Chris Baugh, Northern Sky Research president, said Oct. 9 at the Satellite Innovation 2019 conference.
No near-term satellite orders for ABS • Amazon joins SIA • Speedcast, Australian Space Agency team up
Fleet operator ABS expects to wait until 2021 before planning additional satellites.
