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Amazon Postpones First Full-Scale Kuiper Satellite Launch Due to Weather

The inaugural deployment of 27 final-design satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper was delayed after adverse conditions at Cape Canaveral, with a new launch date yet to be announced.

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Overview

  • Amazon's Project Kuiper aims to deploy over 3,200 satellites to deliver global broadband internet, directly competing with SpaceX's Starlink.
  • The first full-scale launch of 27 Kuiper satellites, scheduled for April 9, 2025, was postponed due to persistent clouds and high winds at Cape Canaveral.
  • United Launch Alliance (ULA) was set to carry out the launch using an Atlas V rocket, with a two-hour launch window starting at 7 p.m. EDT.
  • The satellites feature upgraded solar panels, propulsion systems, and reflective mitigation technology, marking a significant step forward from the 2023 prototypes.
  • Amazon remains committed to meeting FCC deadlines, including deploying half of its constellation by mid-2026, with commercial internet services expected to begin by the end of 2025.