Space Systems Loral (SSL) which designed and built EchoStar XXIII satellite for EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) announced that the satellite is performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan. The satellite deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 and will begin to fire its main thruster tomorrow night to propel itself toward its final circular orbit in the geostationary arc.
View of the EchoStar XXIII satellite as it deploys from the
Falcon 9 second stage
EchoStar XXIII is a highly flexible Ku-band satellite capable of providing service from multiple orbital slots. Based on the SSL 1300 platform, the satellite will be deployed at the 45 degrees West orbital location, providing high-power Direct-to Home services into Brazil. The satellite is designed to provide service for 15 years or more.
This is the third satellite built for EchoStar by SSL to be placed on orbit since last June, said John Celli, president of SSL. I would like to thank EchoStar, SpaceX and our own engineers and technicians who all worked as a team to make this launch a success.
SSL has been an important manufacturing partner to EchoStar, according to Anders Johnson, president of EchoStar Satellite Services. He continued that they are pleased to add another SSL-built satellite to their fleet.
SSL has built more than a dozen satellites for EchoStar and its affiliates, including the high capacity EchoStar XIX satellite for HughesNet® high-speed satellite Internet service in North America, which was successfully launched in December, and EchoStar XVIII for DISH Network, which launched last June. SSL is a subsidiary of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, Ltd. (TSX:MDA), a global communications and information company.
http://www.echostarsatelliteservices.com/