Blue Origin reveals Terawave, new satellite constellation for space-based connectivity

Starlink, Amazon Leo, OneWeb, and the Chinese Guowang and Qianfan systems are about to gain a new competitor: Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin plans to build a new satellite constellation to provide global internet connectivity.

The new system, called TeraWave, aims to deploy 5,400 satellites, with launches to low Earth orbit set to begin toward the end of next year.

What makes TeraWave particularly interesting is the fact that Bezos’s Amazon is already developing a similar satellite constellation. The Amazon Leo network is planned to consist of 3,200 satellites, of which around 180 are already in orbit. Construction of the constellation will continue aggressively this year, and for example the next Ariane 6 launch, using the new and more powerful Ariane 64 configuration, is expected to carry additional Leo satellites into space.

The key difference between TeraWave and Amazon Leo lies in their target customers. While Amazon Leo is a direct competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink system — both being consumer products intended for everyday users once Amazon Leo has enough satellites in orbit and opens commercial service — TeraWave is aimed at companies and governments. It will also provide links between data centers and function as part of the global telecommunications backbone.

In that sense, TeraWave is more of a competitor to Europe’s Eutelsat OneWeb, which likewise does not sell its services directly to consumers but instead focuses on corporate and institutional customers.

Most of TeraWave’s satellites — about 5,280 units — will be placed in low Earth orbit, with the remaining 128 satellitesoperating at somewhat higher altitudes. The lower-orbit satellites will handle user connections, while the higher-orbit satellites will serve as data relay links.

The satellites will also use optical inter-satellite links, enabling data transfer rates of up to 6 terabits per second. This is several times higher than current commercial satellite networks; for example, the consumer speeds offered by Starlink are typically in the hundreds of megabits per second range.

TeraWave plans to launch its satellites at a rapid pace starting next year, using among other vehicles Blue Origin’s own large, partially reusable New Glenn rocket.