Amazon set for launch of Starlink-rival satellites

[Jim__]

I really think we need some control on this.

From phys.org

...

The mission, called Kuiper Atlas 1, is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 7:00 pm local time (2300 GMT), aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket that will carry 27 satellites into orbit.

Weather conditions appeared 75% favorable.

Project Kuiper, a subsidiary of the online retail giant founded by Jeff Bezos, is playing catch-up with Starlink—SpaceX's sprawling network of internet satellites that has reshaped the sector and handed Musk significant geopolitical clout.

The $10 billion initiative plans to deploy 3,200 satellites into low Earth orbit—the region of space up to 1,200 miles (1,900 kilometers) above the planet—with hopes of going live later this year.

more ...

[SheltieLover]

1. So is Bezos at "war" with fleaon? Truck & satellite offerings...

[Lulu KC]

2. Blich

I hate myself for just placing an Amazon order. Again.

[mitch96]

3. Ukraine also is deploying it's own starlink type system...A US network guy is spearheading it...nt

[JoseBalow]

4. More space pollution

[CloudWatcher]

5. Kessler syndrome coming soon, to a LEO near you!

We're still in the Golden Age of being able to use Low Earth Orbit for cool stuff, but at this rate we can look forward to the Kessler syndrome https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome very soon.

The Kessler syndrome is troublesome because of the domino effect and feedback runaway wherein impacts between objects of sizable mass spall off debris from the force of the collision. The fragments can then hit other objects, producing even more space debris: if a large enough collision or explosion were to occur, such as between a space station and a defunct satellite, or as the result of hostile actions in space, then the resulting debris cascade could make prospects for long-term viability of satellites in particular low Earth orbits extremely low