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Kuiper Systems (Kuiper), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amazon.com Services, joined the Satellite Industry Association (SIA) as its newest executive member. In July, Kuiper Systems filed a request with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for authority to launch and operate a Ka-band Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) constellation to provide high-speed broadband services to consumers, businesses, and other customers worldwide. Once deployed, the Kuiper System is to consist of 3,236 satellites in 98 orbital planes at altitudes of 590 kilometers (km), 610 km, and 630 km.

Amazon’s Project Kuiper is a new initiative to launch a constellation of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites that aim to provide low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world. This long-term project envisions serving tens of millions of people who lack basic access to broadband internet. Amazon revealed its launch plans in April.

“We are very pleased to welcome Kuiper to the Board of Directors of SIA and to the Association as our newest executive member,” said Tom Stroup, President of the Satellite Industry Association. “These truly are exciting times in the satellite industry as highly innovative technology leaders look to deploy new satellites and constellations designed to bridge the digital divide both here in the U.S. and around the world. We look forward to working with Kuiper and their leadership as the Company prepares to roll out its next-generation high speed satellite broadband and global 5G connectivity services.”