Amazon plans to launch its prototype internet satellites in September

Amazon is planning to launch its first pair of prototype internet satellites in September. According to a report, these satellites will be launched on a different rocket than previously planned. The e-commerce giant is switching rides for the spacecraft again to avoid mounting rocket delays. These two satellites will be a part of Amazon's Kuiper program which aims to offer internet globally from space.

The company’s spokesperson, James Watkins has confirmed that these satellites will be placed in space by a dedicated Atlas V rocket which is developed by the Boeing-Lockheed joint venture named United Launch Alliance (ULA). Watkins noted that the targeted launch date is set to September 26. 

Initially, Amazon had plans to launch its satellites on rockets developed by startup ABL Space. However, in 2022, to avoid delays in ABL's rocket development, the company announced plans to launch the satellite pair aboard the first flight of ULA's new Vulcan rocket. 

The company has again decided to switch rides as it faced delays with Vulcan as well. Amazon faces a 2026 regulatory deadline to deploy half of the 3,200 satellites planned for its Kuiper internet network.  

According to a ULA spokesperson, the Vulcan was expected to launch in early 2023, but now its target launch date is set to the fourth quarter of 2023 as the spacecraft ran into testing hiccups. 

Amazon announced the Kuiper program to complement the company’s web services and compete with the more established Starlink network developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.  

In 2022, Amazon promised to invest $10 billion into the satellite internet project and bagged 83 launches to deploy it in orbit. This marked the largest commercial launch procurement ever.