more competition is always a good thing - but Amazon isn't some bastion of openness & free thought... internet though Amazon will likely be a very closed ecosystem.
wonder if the EU will try to create their own constellation...
Amazon launches first Kuiper internet satellites in bid to take on Starlink
61–70 of 77 posts
Re: Amazon launches first Kuiper internet satellites in bid to take on Starlink
#62The world needs an alternative to Starlink yesterday. If you criticize Musk on X, the self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist” will reduce distribution of your posts [1]. We don't want someone like that owning critical internet infrastructure. [1] https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/04/23/business/elon...
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No, but I'm fairly sure FOX News and the NY Yankees don't advocate themselves as free speech absolutionists. So I'm not sure what your comparison is trying to do here.
Re: Amazon launches first Kuiper internet satellites in bid to take on Starlink
#63Why are these going up on ULA rockets and not Blue Origin?
They need to launch fast with as many launchers as they can, due to their looming FCC deadline. The more they launch, the better their odds for getting an extension to their deadline as more launches demonstrates their seriousness. They're even going to launch on Falcon 9 (albeit after a shareholder lawsuit..)
Did shareholders not want them launching on a Falcon 9 because it was helping a competitor, or did they actively want them to use the F9 because it's the most affordable option but Bezos (or other higher ups) didn't want to support a competitor?
Re: Amazon launches first Kuiper internet satellites in bid to take on Starlink
#64While I think we need alternatives to Starlink and competition in the space[0], I think we need to recognize that there are physical limitations. Consequently there is a natural monopoly here, and if we have too many providers we will block out the sky[1] and risk creating the Kessler Syndrome[2]. While these satellites are being target at LEO and will naturally decay, lessening the harm if a Kessler effect arises, I…
>Consequently there is a natural monopoly here, and if we have too many providers we will block out the sky[1] and risk creating the Kessler Syndrome[2].
The orbits Starlink sats are at won't cause Kessler syndrome. Even if the entire constellation exploded right this instant, all the debris would deorbit within about 5 years
Re: Amazon launches first Kuiper internet satellites in bid to take on Starlink
#65While I think we need alternatives to Starlink and competition in the space[0], I think we need to recognize that there are physical limitations. Consequently there is a natural monopoly here, and if we have too many providers we will block out the sky[1] and risk creating the Kessler Syndrome[2]. While these satellites are being target at LEO and will naturally decay, lessening the harm if a Kessler effect arises, I…
>Consequently there is a natural monopoly here, and if we have too many providers we will block out the sky[1] and risk creating the Kessler Syndrome[2]. The orbits Starlink sats are at won't cause Kessler syndrome. Even if the entire constellation exploded right this instant, all the debris would deorbit within about 5 years
You are incorrect. Orbits can't cause a Kessler Syndrome. Kessler Syndrome can occur at any altitude. But you are correct that the orbit places a bound for how long the Kessler Event can take place.
A bound in time is different from not possible. Do not confuse the two.
There's also 2 critical points:
1) The lower the altitude, the easier it is to create. You need less debris to fill the orbit.
2) Even a 3 years "lockout" period would have significant consequences on our world due to our reliance on space.
Also, remember that when objects collide that this can send parts into higher orbits, which will take longer to deorbit. Even just through collisions, while the total energy of the system may be lower than the input this does not require each object to have the same or less energy prior to collision. Then we also have to consider that some craft have propellants. Considering that Starlink satellites have collision avoidance systems on them, it is quite safe to assume they have propellants. This similarly can result in more objects ending up in higher orbits.
Remember, just because it sounds right doesn't mean it is. There are non-negligible factors at play here and overly simplistic models will lead you to the wrong conclusion.
(Source: I have a degree in physics and formerly worked in the space industry. My job consisted of modeling a lot of things, including radiation transport, orbital dynamics, and acoustic engine stability. I'm not stating this to flex, I'm stating this to claim I'm not just some rando who read a few wiki pages)
Re: Amazon launches first Kuiper internet satellites in bid to take on Starlink
#66Earlier quoted context omitted.
Are you saying this includes the price of not being allowed to criticize the CEO?
This got me wondering who the CEO of Starlink is. I could not find it anywhere. I know who the CEO of the 100% owner of Starlink is, but not Starlink itself. Do they even have one? IIRC most states when filing an LLC for private equity require a president but not a CEO.
Starlink isn’t a company. It’s a product of SpaceX. You want to look up the CEO of SpaceX.
Re: Amazon launches first Kuiper internet satellites in bid to take on Starlink
#67Earlier quoted context omitted.
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No, but I'm fairly sure FOX News and the NY Yankees don't advocate themselves as free speech absolutionists. So I'm not sure what your comparison is trying to do here.
Sorry but I was distracted by a high-pitched whistling sound as the point went far above your head; however, I'd be entertained to know your definition of "absolutionists". I know what "absolution" is, but y'all seem to be inventing new words in this respect.
Re: Amazon launches first Kuiper internet satellites in bid to take on Starlink
#68Earlier quoted context omitted.
These services are generally terrible compared to Starlink.
Maybe 15 years ago, but not for at least 10 years, and definitely 5 in most markets. I'd take fiber -> Taara -> Tarana 3.65 CBRS any day of the week over any LEO. Way faster, way lower latency, and way lower total cost to deploy. Also scales massively better.
>Tarana 3.65 CBRS any day of the week over any LEO. Way faster, way lower latency
To what? Starlink is getting you to a major exchange in two direct shots. When I was testing it in North Dakota I was getting lower latency to Google and Cloudflare through Starlink than I was through local fiber providers (likely due to their long circuitous route to Minneapolis).
Re: Amazon launches first Kuiper internet satellites in bid to take on Starlink
#69Earlier quoted context omitted.
This got me wondering who the CEO of Starlink is. I could not find it anywhere. I know who the CEO of the 100% owner of Starlink is, but not Starlink itself. Do they even have one? IIRC most states when filing an LLC for private equity require a president but not a CEO.
Starlink isn’t a company. It’s a product of SpaceX. You want to look up the CEO of SpaceX.
Both Wikipedia and various telecom bids / contracts I found listed it as ' Starlink Services, LLC'.
Which is owned by SpaceX, but it appears to be a separate company.
The entity I found in an Oregon bid was registration #4503816 in Deleware.
Re: Amazon launches first Kuiper internet satellites in bid to take on Starlink
#70Earlier quoted context omitted.
Starlink isn’t a company. It’s a product of SpaceX. You want to look up the CEO of SpaceX.
Both Wikipedia and various telecom bids / contracts I found listed it as ' Starlink Services, LLC'. Which is owned by SpaceX, but it appears to be a separate company. The entity I found in an Oregon bid was registration #4503816 in Deleware.
It is not a separate company in any meaningful sense. The job listings for Starlink all clearly say you are working for spacex and you are granted RSUs in spacex.
“Starlink services” was probably legal prep in case they ever wanted to sell it off if it flopped.