Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite processing center is being expanded in Florida with the construction of a secondary support facility at Kennedy Space Center. The $19.5 million expansion will bring the total investment in the site to nearly $140 million. The new 42,000-square-foot building will provide additional space for processing and storing flight hardware for Project Kuiper’s 3,232-satellite constellation, allowing for a regular cadence of missions to deploy the broadband internet service around the globe.
Project Kuiper is Amazon’s multibillion-dollar effort to provide broadband internet service through satellites in low Earth orbit, competing with SpaceX’s Starlink network. Both companies manufacture their satellites in the Seattle area, with Starlink’s factory in Redmond, Washington, and Project Kuiper’s facilities in Redmond and Kirkland. Despite having only two prototype satellites launched so far, most of Project Kuiper’s satellites are expected to be launched from Florida on rockets provided by United Launch Alliance, SpaceX, and Blue Origin, founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.
The satellite processing facility in Florida will streamline the process of receiving shipments, connecting satellites to custom dispensers, and integrating them with launch vehicles. The new support facility will include temperature-controlled storage areas, maintenance bays, workspaces, and air load rigging capabilities for moving heavy equipment. Construction is set to be completed by 2025, reinforcing Amazon’s commitment to delivering broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities globally while supporting Florida’s space innovation and job creation.
Amazon will also invest in infrastructure and service upgrades at Cape Canaveral as part of its launch agreement with United Launch Alliance. Work is underway on a second ULA vertical integration facility dedicated to Project Kuiper, with completion expected in early 2025. The facility, named “VIF-A,” signifies Amazon’s involvement in the project. Project Kuiper aims to begin delivering service to customers in 2025, with over 2,000 Amazon employees currently working on the program.
The expansion of Project Kuiper’s satellite processing center in Florida highlights Amazon’s commitment to providing broadband internet service globally. The new support facility will enhance the capabilities of the existing facility, enabling efficient processing and launch of Project Kuiper’s satellite constellation. With investments in infrastructure and partnerships with launch providers like United Launch Alliance, SpaceX, and Blue Origin, Amazon is positioning itself as a key player in the satellite internet market, competing with other companies like SpaceX’s Starlink network.
The completion of the secondary support facility and vertical integration facility at Cape Canaveral will further strengthen Amazon’s foothold in the space industry and support its goal of delivering reliable broadband connectivity to underserved populations. The strategic location of the facilities in Florida, along with the collaboration with established launch providers, demonstrates Amazon’s commitment to innovation and job creation in the space sector. With Project Kuiper slated to begin service in 2025, Amazon is making significant investments to ensure the success of the program and establish itself as a leader in the satellite internet services market.
