Amazon.Com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) said Project Kuiper will use infrared lasers to send data directly between satellites.
The tech behemoth completed multiple successful demonstrations of the latest optical inter-satellite link (OISL) technology during the Protoflight mission, maintaining 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) links over a distance of nearly 621 miles (1,000 kilometers) for the entirety of the test windows.
The test results ensure that OISLs will be operational on the first production satellites in 2024.
These high-speed laser cross-links will form a secure, resilient mesh network in space, allowing the company to increase throughput and reduce latency across its satellite constellation and providing more flexibility to connect Kuiper customers across land, sea, air, and space.
This ensures secure connectivity for enterprises and the public sector, crucial for remote regions.
For instance, a cruise liner in the ocean or a transatlantic flight can securely transmit data from any location on Earth using laser communications through space and downlink it where needed.
"If you're going to serve maritime customers, air customers, you have got to be able to get data up to your satellites," said Rajeev Badyal, who leads Amazon's Project Kuiper internet-from-space initiative, which Bloomberg notes.
"And in the middle of the ocean, it's difficult if not impossible" to install ground stations, the Bloomberg note added.
Price Action: AMZN shares are trading lower by 0.40% to $148.25 on the last check Thursday.