Bezos Strengthens Collaboration Between Amazon and Blue Origin

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Jeff Bezos, who stepped down as CEO of Amazon, the world's largest e-commerce company, is reportedly investing more time in Blue Origin, the space exploration company he founded, CNBC reported on the 27th (local time).

According to CNBC, citing sources familiar with the matter, Bezos, who had been dedicating Wednesday afternoons each week to managing Blue Origin, has recently started allocating Tuesday afternoons as well over the past month.

Bezos stepped down as Amazon CEO in July and currently serves as the chairman of the board.

CNBC evaluated that Bezos doubling the time he spends on Blue Origin, which he has called "the most important thing in his life," shows significant commitment to the business.

Bezos is also focusing on finding ways for business cooperation between Amazon and Blue Origin. Blue Origin executives have been holding regular meetings to secure contracts for Amazon's satellite internet project, "Project Kuiper."

However, the first contract for Project Kuiper was awarded in April to United Launch Alliance (ULA), a rocket manufacturing joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. At that time, Amazon emphasized that "multiple partners" would be needed to launch 3,235 satellites.

CNBC analyzed that Bezos's recent moves come at a critical juncture in Blue Origin's company history.

The private space exploration business that Blue Origin is focusing on is a field where global billionaires are fiercely competing for the lead.

Besides Bezos, Elon Musk, CEO of electric car company Tesla, and Richard Branson, chairman of the British space exploration company Virgin Galactic, are also personally leading this business.

Blue Origin currently faces numerous challenges. The company's first orbital rocket has been delayed by several years beyond schedule, and a lawsuit is underway regarding NASA's selection of Musk's SpaceX as the sole contractor for a multi-billion-dollar lunar lander.

Additionally, Blue Origin is encountering obstacles in technology development as many top executives and engineers have left the company.