INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Amazon launched the first test satellites for its planned internet service on Friday as a rival to SpaceX&s broadband network.United Launch
Alliance&s Atlas V rocket blasted off with the pair of test satellites, kicking off a program that aims to improve global internet coverage
with an eventual 3,236 satellites around Earth, AP reported.Amazon plans to begin offering service by the end of next year.
SpaceX flew its
first test Starlink satellites in 2018 and the first operational satellites in 2019
It has since launched more than 5,000 Starlinks from Florida and California, using its own Falcon rockets.Europe&s Eutelsat OneWeb also is
launching internet satellites, with around 600 in orbit.Amazon originally agreed to put the satellites on the debut launch of ULA&s Vulcan
But with the Vulcan grounded by problems until at least the end of this year, Amazon switched to the long-established Atlas V.When licensing
the program, the Federal Communications Commission stipulated that at least half of the planned satellites be operating by 2026 and all of
them by 2029.
Amazon has reserved 77 launches from ULA, Blue Origin and Europe&s Arianespace to get everything up.The post Amazon launches
test satellites for planned internet service to compete with SpaceX first appeared on Ariana News.
