spacetoday.net: FCC approves Amazon Project Kuiper plans

Posted: Sat, Feb 11, 2023, 8:07 AM ET (1307 GMT)
The FCC has approved Amazon's plans to deploy its Project Kuiper broadband constellation. While the FCC gave initial approval for the 3,236-satellite constellation in 2020, that was pending an updated orbital debris mitigation plan that the FCC conditionally approved Wednesday. The conditions include semi-annual reports that Kuiper must give the FCC to detail the collision-avoidance maneuvers its satellites have made, whether any have lost the ability to steer away from objects and other debris risk indicators. The company also has to ensure the safety of the International Space Station and other crewed spacecraft when it deorbits its spacecraft at the end of their lives. The first two prototype Kuiper satellites are scheduled to launch in the coming months on the first Vulcan Centaur.