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Blue Origin announces global satellite internet project
Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, has revealed plans to deploy over 5,400 satellites to establish TeraWave, a high-speed global communications network. The system aims to provide continuous internet access with significantly faster data transfer rates than existing competitors.
Speed and target market set TeraWave apart
The company stated that TeraWave will deliver upload and download speeds of up to 6 terabits per second, outperforming current commercial satellite services. Unlike Elon Musk's Starlink and Amazon's Leo, which primarily serve individual consumers, Blue Origin's network will focus on data centers, businesses, and governments.
Competition in the satellite internet race
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, currently leads the satellite internet market with thousands of satellites already in orbit. Amazon's Leo project, meanwhile, has around 180 satellites deployed and plans to expand to over 3,000. Blue Origin expects to begin launching TeraWave satellites by the end of 2027.
Recent milestones and criticism
In November, Blue Origin achieved a technical breakthrough by successfully landing a rocket booster on a floating platform-a feat previously accomplished only by SpaceX. Earlier this year, the company also conducted an 11-minute spaceflight with an all-female crew, including Bezos' partner Lauren Sánchez, singer Katy Perry, and CBS anchor Gayle King.
However, the celebrity spaceflight drew criticism for its timing amid economic challenges, with some commentators calling it "tone-deaf."
Bezos' dual role in space and tech
While Bezos stepped down as Amazon CEO in 2021, he remains the company's executive chairman. Amazon's Leo satellite network, though smaller in scale than TeraWave, is positioned as a direct competitor, targeting global high-speed internet access for the public rather than enterprise clients.
