Amazon.com Inc. said Tuesday it secured a maximum of 83 launches over the next five years for Project Kuiper, a low Earth orbit satellite system for providing broadband to unserved and underserved communities globally. The project has been described as the largest commercial procurement of launch vehicles in history. Amazon said the launch deals would allow it to deploy the majority of its planned network of 3,236 satellites. Amazon said it now has 1,000 employees assigned to Project Kuiper. The company said it’s working with Arianespace, Blue Origin (owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos) and United Launch Alliance to launch two satellites by the fourth quarter. Amazon did not disclose the cost for using the Ariane 6, New Glenn, and Vulcan Centaur rockets for Project Kuiper. Dave Limp, senior vice president for Amazon Devices & Services, said the launch agreements “reflect our incredible commitment and belief in Project Kuiper.” Shares of Amazon.com fell 0.4% in pre-market trades.
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