Amazon builds 1,000th Leo satellite, nears commercial internet service
Amazon has built its 1,000th Leo satellite and says commercial satellite internet service is weeks away.
Amazon has built its 1,000th Leo broadband satellite and is weeks away from offering commercial service for the first time, according to an Ars Technica interview with senior company officials.
The satellites are made at Amazon's factory in Kirkland, Washington. Paul Palcisco, director of production, and Chris Weber, vice president of business, spoke to Ars alongside Rajeev Badyal, who leads the broadband effort. The company can now build a handful of satellites every day, making it the world's second-largest satellite manufacturer behind SpaceX.
Badyal confirmed that the Vulcan rocket's upcoming return-to-flight mission will carry Amazon Leo satellites. A second Vulcan rocket standing next to it is also being prepared to launch more Amazon satellites this year.
Amazon is entering a market SpaceX has dominated with Starlink for the last half-decade. OneWeb has offered only limited services. Badyal led Starlink in its early years, until Elon Musk fired him eight years ago for moving too cautiously.
Sourcearstechnica.com