![Amazon announces huge rocket deal to launch its satellite internet constellation Amazon announces huge rocket deal to launch its satellite internet constellation](https://morningtopnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/220405091502-amazon-arianespace-ariane-6-rocket-rendering-super-tease-768x432.jpg)
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The agreement includes two veteran rocket builders — United Launch Alliance, which is joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, and European company Arianespace — as well as Blue Origin, the rocket company started by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, which is still working to develop a rocket capable of reaching orbit.
Bezos remains the executive chairman of Amazon.
The contracts include a total of up to 83 launches, which Amazon is calling one of the largest commercial launch deals ever inked. The launches will take place over about five years. All three rockets that Amazon plans to use for these missions are not in operation yet but are expected to enter service later this year or 2023. Financial details were not disclosed.
He added that the company’s goal is to launch a few test satellites to orbit within the next year or so. And, if all goes to plan, Amazon will deploy at least half the Project Kuiper constellation, or more than 1,600 satellites, by 2026. But the company can begin commercial services with just a few hundred satellites, Limp said. He declined to discuss how much the service might cost consumers.
“We still have lots of work ahead, but the team has continued to hit milestone after milestone across every aspect of our satellite system,” Limp said in a statement.
Under the deal announced Tuesday, Arianespace, which has orbital rockets in operation but will plan to use its forthcoming Ariane 6 rocket for Project Kuiper launches, signed a deal for 18 missions.
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