Amazon is preparing to launch its Leo satellite internet service later this year after deploying enough satellites to provide continuous coverage across its initial service areas.
Amazon Leo is the company’s Low Earth Orbit satellite network and a developing rival to SpaceX’s Starlink, which currently operates the world’s largest satellite constellation.
Amazon completed its 14th Leo mission on July 2, deploying another 29 satellites aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Florida. The mission increased the total number of deployed satellites to 396. For comparison, Starlink has more than 10,000 satellites in orbit.
Amazon Leo executive Chris Weber said the company had completed enough launches to begin initial service this year. Future missions will expand the network’s coverage and capacity.
The newly launched satellites must still move to their assigned operational altitude before they can begin providing connectivity.
Amazon has not announced where it will first offer Leo internet service. Initial coverage is expected to begin at selected northern and southern latitudes before expanding towards the equator as Amazon places more satellites into orbit.
The company’s complete first-generation network will eventually include more than 3,200 satellites intended to provide internet coverage around the world.
Customers will connect to Amazon Leo through one of three receiver designs. The smallest model, Leo Nano, measures 7 by 7 inches and supports download speeds of up to 100Mbps.
Leo Pro measures 11 by 11 inches and provides download speeds of up to 400Mbps. The larger Leo Ultra measures 20 by 30 inches and supports download speeds of up to 1Gbps and upload speeds of up to 400Mbps.
Amazon is allowing interested customers to register for updates before the wider rollout begins.
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