Amazon will launch its satellites with the Ariane-6 rocket
Amazon relies on Arianespace to launch its satellites and bring high-speed Internet to the world.
The American group surprised everyone this week by announcing to order of 18 launches with the European Arianespace. It was a few days ago as part of a trade show on space, in Colorado Springs, near the city of Denver. Thus, after two years of negotiations, Amazon is providing Arianespace largest order in its history. It is therefore a huge reduction for the European company which will be able to launch the commercial exploitation of its Ariane-6 rocket with peace of mind.
Satellites for the Kuiper project
Neither company disclosed the amount of the contract. However, the scale of the transaction is not in doubt. Indeed, this massive contract with Amazon allows Arianespace to triple its order book. On the side of the juggernaut of online commerce, the objective is to achieve more than 3000 satellites in low orbit, 600 kilometers above our heads. In fact, these satellites will have the function of providing high-speed Internet in the most remote places on the planet.
The American giant called this program “Kuiper”.. However, these investments will not only benefit Arianespace. Amazon has indeed chosen to entrust part of the launches to two American companies. It is first, and logically, Blue Origin, the space group of Jeff Bezos, which has a launcher called New Glenn. And then, from ULA, the joint venture formed by Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Its rocket, Vulcan, is due to make its maiden flight next year.