Amazon’s satellite company, SpaceX’s Starlink network and other satellite companies won combined contracts of $ 278.5 million from NASA on Wednesday to demonstrate communications in space as the U.S. space agency moves to replace its current satellite network in orbit with privately built systems.
NASA is increasingly looking to rely on private space companies for its operations and wants to stimulate more commercial activity in areas ranging from space communications to sending people into orbit.
Amazon’s Kuiper project, a planned network of more than 3,000 satellites built to broadcast broadband to remote areas, grossed $ 67 million, while SpaceX’s Starlink, a larger satellite Internet network with about 2,000 satellites already in space, received $ 70 million. dollars.
NASA uses its current system, called a satellite network for tracking and transmitting data, to communicate with a spacecraft in orbit, such as SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule when transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
“The goal here is to really get the industry involved with us and to develop these opportunities for customers who are not just NASA but other space customers, hoping to cut costs,” said Eli Nafa, head of communications. of NASA. Services Project, told Reuters.
Each company is expected to complete the development and demonstration of its satellites under the contract by 2025, NASA said in a statement.
The others awarded are Inmarsat, SES, Telesat and ViaSat. Competition is fierce between Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Amazon and Telesat to provide broadband from space, an expensive commercial venture that could generate billions in revenue once it becomes operational, analysts say.
Starlink, although not yet complete, has thousands of customers in different countries. Amazon, on the other hand, aims to launch its first two satellite prototypes in late 2022.
Add Comment