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Amazon’s Project Kuiper books 83 rockets to launch internet-beaming satellites

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Re: Amazon’s Project Kuiper books 83 rockets to launch internet-beaming satellites

#11
post #5

Edit: terafo pointed out I've got BO rocket's names wrong! Fixed! And most of these launches on rockets that have never flown. > The satellites will fly on powerful rockets currently being developed by European launch provider Arianespace, US-based United Launch Alliance, and Blue Origin Arianespace: probably the Ariane 6, which might get a test flight this year if all goes perfectly. ULA: 9 launches planned on the A…

Yeah, this is a red flag. I expect actual launches to happen in 2+ years.

Re: Amazon’s Project Kuiper books 83 rockets to launch internet-beaming satellites

#13
post #4

They should rename it to Amazon Project Kessler because thats what they are going to cause.

do you realise how small one satellite is?

If they're comparable with Starlink satellites they're 1/4 of a ton each, and made of a lot of parts that could fragment on impact. That's small in satellite terms, but you wouldn't want to try to pick one up.

Re: Amazon’s Project Kuiper books 83 rockets to launch internet-beaming satellites

#15
post #6
post #5

Edit: terafo pointed out I've got BO rocket's names wrong! Fixed! And most of these launches on rockets that have never flown. > The satellites will fly on powerful rockets currently being developed by European launch provider Arianespace, US-based United Launch Alliance, and Blue Origin Arianespace: probably the Ariane 6, which might get a test flight this year if all goes perfectly. ULA: 9 launches planned on the A…

You confused New Shepard and New Glenn. New Shepard uses BE-3 and performs sub-orbital flights for rich tourists. New Glenn is heavy reusable orbital rocket that uses BE-4.

> New Glenn is heavy reusable orbital rocket

That's "will be a heavy reusable orbital rocket". New Glenn hasn't flown yet, even in prototype. I'm looking forward to seeing it in action. But I'm not holding my breath.

Re: Amazon’s Project Kuiper books 83 rockets to launch internet-beaming satellites

#16

I'm of many minds about this whole thing. Increased competition for Internet access is nice - gone are the days where I had one choice for Internet access. I have the option for 2 cable providers, ATT Fiber or DSL, and T-Mobile Home Internet (I've used it at a relative's and it's quite good). Presumably I could sign up for Starlink too. But the thought of Amazon controlling Internet access is not ideal. Also I worry…

Your confusion is well founded, these products are not for you and the true customers don't care. LEO Satellite network connectivity is every military's wet dream: impossible to deny without triggering global condemnation for creating space debris; only accessible to those with the most money (and access to launchers); allows you to run operations without deploying large power-hungry ground infrastructure.

Why do you think Amazon fought so hard to take away the JEDI contract from Microsoft?

Re: Amazon’s Project Kuiper books 83 rockets to launch internet-beaming satellites

#17

I'm of many minds about this whole thing. Increased competition for Internet access is nice - gone are the days where I had one choice for Internet access. I have the option for 2 cable providers, ATT Fiber or DSL, and T-Mobile Home Internet (I've used it at a relative's and it's quite good). Presumably I could sign up for Starlink too. But the thought of Amazon controlling Internet access is not ideal. Also I worry…

If you already have a reasonable option for internet then you're probably not the target audience for this.

Re: Amazon’s Project Kuiper books 83 rockets to launch internet-beaming satellites

#18
post #5

Edit: terafo pointed out I've got BO rocket's names wrong! Fixed! And most of these launches on rockets that have never flown. > The satellites will fly on powerful rockets currently being developed by European launch provider Arianespace, US-based United Launch Alliance, and Blue Origin Arianespace: probably the Ariane 6, which might get a test flight this year if all goes perfectly. ULA: 9 launches planned on the A…

The engine situation actually looks even more grim for New Glenn than what you portray. The differences between making an engine survive flight once and one that can be reused are not insignificant.

Re: Amazon’s Project Kuiper books 83 rockets to launch internet-beaming satellites

#19

I'm of many minds about this whole thing. Increased competition for Internet access is nice - gone are the days where I had one choice for Internet access. I have the option for 2 cable providers, ATT Fiber or DSL, and T-Mobile Home Internet (I've used it at a relative's and it's quite good). Presumably I could sign up for Starlink too. But the thought of Amazon controlling Internet access is not ideal. Also I worry…

Your confusion is well founded, these products are not for you and the true customers don't care. LEO Satellite network connectivity is every military's wet dream: impossible to deny without triggering global condemnation for creating space debris; only accessible to those with the most money (and access to launchers); allows you to run operations without deploying large power-hungry ground infrastructure. Why do you…

Didn't Russia jam starlink in Ukraine with 50 year old tech? or was that debunked?

Also DoD announced their own project a month or so back https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/28/pentagons-sda-awards-transpo...

Re: Amazon’s Project Kuiper books 83 rockets to launch internet-beaming satellites

#20

I'm of many minds about this whole thing. Increased competition for Internet access is nice - gone are the days where I had one choice for Internet access. I have the option for 2 cable providers, ATT Fiber or DSL, and T-Mobile Home Internet (I've used it at a relative's and it's quite good). Presumably I could sign up for Starlink too. But the thought of Amazon controlling Internet access is not ideal. Also I worry…

If you already have a reasonable option for internet then you're probably not the target audience for this.

Probably not, but I do think that more options will push legacy ISPs to up their game which will be a benefit to all consumers of Internet.
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