NASA has picked six satellite communications providers, including Amazon and SpaceX to develop and demonstrate space communication services as it intends to decommission its near-Earth satellite fleet in the future.
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The space agency said it is following its proven approach developed through commercial cargo and crew services by employing commercial satellite communications networks. The combined value of NASAs’ Communications Services Project (CSP) funded agreements is $278.5 million.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which plans to have a constellation of over 3,000 satellites in the low-Earth orbit, was awarded $67 million. Elon Musk-owned SpaceX, which continues to launch more Starlink satellites, having launched about 2300 satellites already, received $70 million.
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The list of funded companies also includes Inmarsat, SES, Telesat and Viasat. Each firm is expected to complete technology development and in-space demonstrations by 2025, the space agency said.
