Amazon’s satellite operation Project Kuiper has had its name changed to Amazon Leo, ‘a simple nod’ to the Low Earth Orbit satellites that make up its burgeoning network.
The now scrapped Project Kuiper name was apparently inspired by the Kuiper Belt, a ring of asteroids in the outer solar system. This was apparently a code name, and the new permanent brand for the program instead refers to the type of satellites it is currently building its constellation with.
“Seven years ago, Amazon set out to design the most advanced satellite communications network ever built”, stated a blog post penned by Rajeev Badyal, Vice President of Amazon Leo. “Our vision was simple: There are still billions of people on the planet who lack high-speed internet access, and millions of businesses, governments, and other organizations operating in places without reliable connectivity. With a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit, we could help bridge that gap and extend fast, reliable internet to those beyond the reach of existing networks.”
