Amazon is expanding satellite production at its newly acquired Project Kuiper facility. | So Good News

Amazon continues to invest in people and facilities to support the Project Kuiper satellite network (Low Earth Orbit (LEO)), which will provide fast and affordable broadband to underserved and underserved communities around the world. The program is based in Redmond, Washington and has continued to expand our footprint in the region since the announcement. An initial 219,000 sq. ft. research and development facility In 2020

These facilities are capable of supporting prototype development and launching commercial production of satellites, but in order to fulfill our vision for the project. We need to work on a larger scale. It requires a special manufacturing facility, and Washington, D.C. We are excited to announce plans to develop a dedicated 172,000 square foot satellite manufacturing facility in Kirkland. The new facility will create more than 200 skilled aerospace and manufacturing jobs in the Puget Sound region and meet the scale needed to build up to four satellites per day.

Project Kuiper’s delivery of satellites into space with remarkable precision; The expertise and our vision required a world-class team,” said Rajeev Badyal, Project Kuiper’s vice president of technology. “This new satellite manufacturing facility will significantly expand our production capacity as we approach launch and deployment. This brings us another step closer to delivering on our mission to connect untapped and underserved communities around the world.”

Project Kuiper satellites are designed and developed in-house to improve performance while reducing costs. Our manufacturing facility will provide additional control over the manufacturing and testing process. By centralizing operations here in Puget Sound; It also ensures close coordination between the design and development teams in Redmond and the manufacturing teams in Kirkland.

“We are excited about Amazon’s selection of Kirkland for Project Kuiper’s satellite manufacturing facility,” said Kirkland Mayor Penny Sweet. “Whether you’re trying to get your foot in the door or looking for an advanced and advanced career, this will bring more economic opportunity to the professionals who live here and those who don’t yet call Kirkland home. Partnerships like Amazon are critical in demonstrating why our city is such a great place to live, work and play. Our nation’s pioneering spirit has revolutionized aerospace. Project As a Kuiper partner, Kirkland is proud to continue this tradition.”

For more than a century, Washington state has been home to a thriving aerospace sector. Project Kuiper Recently joined the White House-led coalition. These investments will strengthen the nation’s commercial aerospace workforce and allow us to extend that commitment to our local communities in the Puget Sound region. Our new manufacturing facility will open new doors in advanced manufacturing for job seekers in various fields. This will provide additional opportunities for local partners to specialize in products and services.

“Working from home in the 21st century; living, learning, A reliable high-speed Internet connection is essential for working. Amazon’s Project Kuiper is critical to closing the digital divide and providing more affordable internet options. Our region’s technology industry is strong, and its continued growth has significant benefits across the country,” said U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), whose members include Kirkland. “Project Kuiper’s new manufacturing facility will bring good-paying, skilled jobs to the Puget Sound region as we continue to expand broadband access everywhere.

“Amazon could have located its Project Kuiper satellite manufacturing facility anywhere around the world, but chose Kirkland and the Greater Seattle area to expand,” said Brian Surratt, president and CEO of Greater Seattle Partners. We’re proud to be Amazon’s partner in pushing the boundaries of space and delivering fast, affordable broadband to unserved and underserved communities around the world.”

Project Kuiper’s The first two prototype satellites will be launched in early 2023. Amazon on United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket, Arianespace; Up to 92 heavy lifts have been secured from Blue Origin and ULA, marking the largest purchase of commercial launch vehicles in history. These contracts will deploy the majority of our satellite constellation and support thousands of skilled jobs across the United States and Europe. Also Thursday, ULA unveiled new facilities in Decatur, Alabama, nearly doubling its capacity to provide the partnership with the launch vehicles needed to send Kuiper satellites into orbit.

San Diego, Austin, Project Kuiper has more than 1,000 people working across the US, including cities like New York City and Washington, DC, and we continue to hire across a wide range of roles and disciplines. If you are interested, connect with us. Explore our open roles..