Amazon Funds $19.5 million to Enhance The Kuiper’s Project satellite-processing center at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center.
This new investment adds to the $120 million already spent on the facility, which will be used to assemble a fleet of low-Earth-orbit satellites for upcoming launches. The 3,232-satellite constellation, akin to SpaceX’s Starlink network, aims to deliver affordable broadband to underserved regions globally.
Amazon has arranged 80 heavy-lift launches with commercial providers Arianespace, Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance (ULA), with additional launch options available through Blue Origin, founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.
The primary 100,000-square-foot center at Kennedy will handle the preparation and integration of Kuiper satellites with their launch vehicles. These satellites, manufactured at a plant in Kirkland, Washington, will be connected to custom dispensers for loading onto launch vehicles.
The newly announced secondary facility will cover 42,000 square feet and will be dedicated to processing and storing flight hardware prior to launch. It will feature temperature-controlled storage, maintenance bays, multipurpose workspaces, and air-load-rigging systems for heavy equipment. Construction is expected to be completed by 2025.