Amazon will invest $120M to build out a Project Kuiper satellite processing facility at NASA’s KSC in Florida that will be used for final satellite prep before launch, the company announced Friday.
Kuiper: Amazon is building a $10B, 3,236-bird LEO internet constellation. The tech giant has already booked 77 (!) heavy-lift launches, mostly with Blue Origin and ULA, to deploy this monster network.
- The facility’s close proximity to launch sites will facilitate Amazon’s ambitious launch cadence.
Amazon is set to launch its first two prototypes aboard Vulcan’s maiden flight in Q4.
“We have an ambitious plan to begin Project Kuiper’s full-scale production launches and early customer pilots next year, and this new facility will play a critical role in helping us deliver on that timeline,” said Amazon VP Steve Metayer.
Space Florida: The facility is located at KSC’s Launch and Landing Facility—formerly the Shuttle Landing Facility—and is operated and maintained by Space Florida. Investment incentives from Space Florida’s Spaceport Improvement Program are supporting Amazon’s facility build-out.
Florida is actively courting space businesses to move to the Sunshine State by offering financial benefits, establishing strategic partnerships, and enacting business-friendly laws. The policies encouraged Boeing and Made in Space to expand their presence in Florida.
Space Florida estimates the space industry will add $5.9B to the Florida economy over the next five years.
