FCC chair slams Amazon for slow satellite launches after it opposed SpaceX data center plan

In a pointed critique, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr called out Amazon for its opposition to SpaceX's plans for an orbital data center while simultaneously falling short of its own satellite deployment targets. Carr took to social media platform X to emphasize that Amazon should concentrate on its impending shortfall of approximately 1,000 satellites rather than expend efforts on petitions against competitors actively deploying thousands of satellites into orbit. Amazon recently urged the FCC to dismiss SpaceX’s proposal to launch a massive constellation of up to 1 million low Earth orbit satellites, which are intended to create a space-based data center network to support AI initiatives. The company described SpaceX's ambitions as more of a grand vision than a concrete plan, criticizing the lack of comprehensive details about how SpaceX intends to achieve its goals. Currently, SpaceX's Starlink service leads the market for internet connectivity via satellites, while Amazon seeks to enter this competitive landscape with its own Leo satellite service, formerly known as Project Kuiper. To date, Amazon has invested over $10 billion in this endeavor and has successfully launched around 200 satellites since last April with various launch partners, including SpaceX. In January, Amazon requested a waiver or a 24-month extension from the FCC, pushing the deadline to July 2028 for deploying roughly 1,600 internet satellites by July 2026. The company cited delays from external factors, such as a shortage of available rockets and manufacturing issues, while also noting that the FCC has granted similar extensions in the past. The FCC recently approved Amazon's separate petition to deploy an additional 4,500 internet satellites, significantly increasing its constellation size. In contrast, Starlink currently operates around 9,000 satellites and serves approximately 9 million customers, with FCC approval for an additional 7,500 satellites. Concerns have been raised by scientists about the implications of SpaceX's proposal to launch one million satellites, highlighting issues like light pollution, orbital debris, and the potential for a catastrophic scenario known as Kessler syndrome. Amazon referenced these environmental and astronomical concerns in its petition, warning that SpaceX's application could exacerbate international regulatory backlash regarding the monopolization of space resources. Carr, a known supporter of SpaceX, expressed skepticism about the likelihood of Amazon's petition gaining momentum, indicating that he believes it may not receive much support. He has previously criticized the FCC under former President Biden for what he termed 'regulatory harassment' of SpaceX, particularly when the agency assessed that Starlink was not suitable for fulfilling rural broadband program requirements at that time.