Amazon has announced its plans to deploy space lasers, officially termed optical inter-satellite links, to ensure reliable broadband coverage, even in the most remote maritime regions.
This innovative technology enables satellites to transmit data to locations like cruise ships, bridging the gap when out of reach of an Amazon ground station connected to the internet. Instead, the laser will redirect the request to another satellite with a clear line of sight to a ground station.
As Amazon revealed on Thursday, two prototype satellites have proven the viability of this cutting-edge technology, according to BNN Bloomberg. Rajeev Badyal, the leader of Amazon's Project Kuiper internet-from-space initiative, underscored the importance of data transmission to satellites, especially in challenging or impossible-to-reach areas, such as the middle of the ocean, where ground stations are not feasible.
SpaceX's Starlink unit, which manages the largest constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, has already integrated similar lasers into its newer satellite models, according to CNBC.
Here’s some out-of-this-world news. 💫 After demonstrating 100 Gbps optical links between its prototype satellites, @ProjectKuiper, our low Earth orbit satellite broadband network, will include laser links on every satellite in its constellation to form a mesh network in space.⬇️ pic.twitter.com/SaEIA1JbK8
— Amazon News (@amazonnews) December 14, 2023
Amazon Aims to Launch Over 3,000 Satellites
Members of Amazon's laser team bring prior experience from Facebook, which had abandoned its satellite network plans. The success of Amazon's Kuiper prototype satellites in multiple laser link demonstrations marks a significant leap forward. During tests, the Kuiper prototypes maintained links that transferred data at 100 gigabits per second over a distance of almost 621 miles between the spacecraft, as stated in an Amazon blog post.
The distinct advantage of Amazon's orbital laser mesh network lies in its ability to move data approximately 30% faster than terrestrial fiber optic cables, thanks to the faster speed of light in space compared to through glass.
Laser links will be integrated from the outset in the production of Amazon's commercial Kuiper satellites, aiming to establish a network consisting of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit, per UPI. The company has already scheduled 97 rocket launches for deploying its satellites, which are set to commence in the first half of the coming year. Amazon's investment in the Project Kuiper initiative is expected to exceed $10 billion.
EU Court Favors Amazon
Simultaneously with this technological advancement, TechTimes earlier reported that the highest court of the European Union ruled in Amazon's favor in an unrelated legal dispute, thereby sparing the firm $273 million in delinquent taxes. This ruling concludes an extended legal dispute over tax arrangements between Amazon and the government of Luxembourg.
Amazon welcomed the ruling through a spokesperson, expressing appreciation for the EU court decision, "which confirms that Amazon followed all applicable laws and received no special treatment."
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