Last month, Amazon confirmed that its Project Kuipter prototype satellites are operating properly in Earth’s orbit.
The Project Kuiper satellite internet service is Amazon’s answer toStarlink.
These satellites need to communicate with each other.
But each satellite will orbit Earth at 15,534 MPH, so a wired connection is impossible.
That’s why Amazon is relying on OISL, which is laser-based.
Kuiper satellites will point lasers at each other through the vacuum of space.
To be clear, Amazon did not invent or pioneer the OISL system.
There is no indication that Project Kuiper will be “better” or “worse” than Starlink.
Both services are impressive and offer the same basic functionality.
In any case, satellite internet is primarily geared toward rural customers, sea-faring mariners, and governments.
It may also be a useful form of disaster relief.
Not in this decade, at least.
Now that Amazon has finished its preliminary testing, it can start building the Project Kuiper constellation.
The first production-grade Kuiper satellites will be launched in early 2024.
If everything goes as planned, Kuiper will begin taking customers later in the year.
