Blue Origin, the rocket company founded by Jeff Bezos, is set to launch over 5,400 satellites for its new communications network, TeraWave. This network aims to provide worldwide internet access with an emphasis on speed, boasting potential upload and download speeds of up to 6 terabits per second. That’s significantly faster than what many current satellite services can offer.
However, even with this massive push, TeraWave will have fewer satellites in orbit compared to Elon Musk’s Starlink, which currently leads the satellite internet market. Starlink also caters to individual users, providing internet and phone services, while Blue Origin plans to focus mainly on businesses, data centers, and government customers.
Amazon, the tech giant linked to Bezos, is also eyeing the satellite internet space with its own project called Leo. Leo has around 180 satellites in orbit and aims to exceed 3,000 in the future. Unlike TeraWave, Leo is geared more towards everyday consumers, offering high-speed broadband access globally.
Recent data shows that the demand for satellite internet is growing rapidly. According to a report by the International Telecommunication Union, internet connectivity became crucial during the pandemic, highlighting the need for robust, reliable networks. This growing demand has made the competition in the satellite internet sector more intense than ever.
Blue Origin aims to start launching TeraWave satellites by the end of 2027. In a recent achievement, the company successfully landed a rocket booster on a floating platform, a feat only previously accomplished by SpaceX. This marks a significant milestone in their development.
In recent months, Blue Origin also made headlines with a space flight that featured an all-female crew. However, the event faced criticism, with some calling it “tone deaf” given the continued economic challenges many face.
The landscape of satellite internet is evolving quickly. As companies like Blue Origin and Amazon push forward with their technologies, consumers and businesses alike stand to benefit from better connectivity options in the near future. You can follow more updates on this topic in the International Telecommunication Union’s reports.
