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Amazon.com Inc. said Tuesday it secured a maximum of 83 launches 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
AMZN,
said the launch deals would allow it to deploy the majority of its planned network of 3,236 satellites for Project Kuiper.
The company did not disclose the cost of the program, but said now has 1,000 employees assigned to Project Kuiper.
Arianespace, Blue Origin (owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos) and United Launch Alliance are working with Amazon.com on the rocket launches.
Amazon plans to launch two satellites by the fourth quarter and has secured berths on the Ariane 6, New Glenn, and Vulcan Centaur rockets.
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 2% on Tuesday.
