BELLINGHAM, WA – (KGMI.com) Amazon launched its first test satellites for its global internet service network into space earlier this month.
The tech giant’s planned network will compete against SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet system for global connectivity.
Satellite internet has existed for years, providing service to large portions of territory.
Starlink started launching satellites in 2019, marking the first time a company started to provide internet service with the intention of going global.
Amazon plans to eventually launch over 3,000 satellites, adding to Starlink’s system of over 5,000 small satellites already in orbit.
NASA has expressed concern over debris in the Earth’s orbit potentially colliding with these satellites and setting off a chain reaction of collisions.
Currently, there are roughly 11,500 tons of man-made space debris in orbit.
According to NASA, if a cascade of collisions occurs, spacecraft will face an increasing chance of damage until orbit is no longer usable.
Amazon intends to launch their service by the end of next year.
