Besides sparring with SpaceX over its much larger proposed orbital data-center constellation, Amazon is seeking regulatory relief of its own. The most urgent matter for Amazon is a requirement to deploy half of its Amazon Leo system — planned to total 3,236 satellites — by July 30. With just over three months remaining, the company will miss that deadline and has asked to push it back to July 30, 2028.
Carr steps in
On Wednesday, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr inserted himself into the SpaceX–Amazon dispute over megaconstellations.
“Amazon should focus on the fact that it will fall roughly 1,000 satellites short of meeting its upcoming deployment milestone, rather than spending their time and resources filing petitions against companies that are putting thousands of satellites in orbit,” Carr wrote on X, the social network owned by Musk.
Both SpaceX and Amazon have defensible points in their competing concerns. For instance, SpaceX could markedly speed up its launch tempo once the Starship rocket is operational, so claims that deploying its orbital data centers would take centuries are likely exaggerated.
That said, it’s reasonable to question SpaceX’s application for one million satellites — an unprecedented number that would fundamentally alter many aspects of low-Earth orbit. The filing omitted key details about satellite size, mass, and other specifications needed to assess safety and related issues.
Amazon and Jeff Bezos are probably uncomfortable seeing Carr publicly appear to side with Musk. While Carr may hold strong policy views, he should not single out companies for favorable treatment.
