Amazon filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission on July 24 for a constellation of 5,105 direct-to-device satellites operating in low Earth orbit. The system would use Globalstar spectrum at 1.6 and 2.4 gigahertz to deliver mobile data, text messaging, emergency communications, and IoT connectivity directly to smartphones and devices in areas lacking terrestrial coverage. The move represents a major expansion of Amazon's satellite ambitions beyond its existing Leo broadband constellation and depends on the company's pending $11 billion acquisition of Globalstar, expected to close in 2027.
The satellites would operate at altitudes between 510 and 580 kilometers with inclinations ranging from roughly 56 to 84 degrees. Each spacecraft would have a six- to eight-year operational lifetime and use Ka- and V-band spectrum for gateway links and command functions. Amazon's filing reserves orbital slots for more than 11,000 satellites but commits the constellation not to exceed 5,105. The company plans to launch satellites into parking orbits at 440 kilometers altitude, then use onboard propulsion to raise them to operational orbits, and lower them to 360 kilometers at end-of-life for natural deorbiting within two months.
Amazon said the D2D system would operate alongside Globalstar's existing and planned satellites, as well as its Amazon Leo broadband constellation and the HIBLEO and C-3 systems acquired from Globalstar. The company described the integrated architecture as designed to "orchestrate traffic" across all these systems to maximize efficiency and bring reliable connectivity to diverse user devices. The filing provides few technical details about the proposed satellites themselves beyond their spectrum allocations.
The FCC's April order on direct-to-device services confirmed spectrum rights for both Globalstar and Iridium, rejecting competing bids from companies including SpaceX. Amazon's application aligns with that order. Separately, Rocket Lab announced a deal in June to acquire Iridium for $8 billion, with CEO Peter Beck indicating interest in using Iridium's globally harmonized spectrum for applications beyond the system's current uses.