Sea Launch has received a firm contract award from Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HNS) for the launch of the SPACEWAY(TM) 3 communications satellite, projected for early 2007.
A Sea Launch Zenit-3SL vehicle will launch the SPACEWAY 3 satellite, with a mass of more than 6000 kg, to geosynchronous transfer orbit from the Odyssey Launch Platform, positioned on the Equator. Sea Launch’s reliable direct insertion into equatorial orbit is expected to yield additional years of life for this spacecraft, which will provide services to the North American market. The Boeing 702 spacecraft is being manufactured at Boeing’s Satellite Development Center in El Segundo, Calif. This is the eighth new launch contract Sea Launch has signed in 2005.
SPACEWAY satellites are the first in the world to be designed for broadband data communications and have the ability to switch and route traffic on board, enabling single-hop communications between any two satellite terminals, eliminating the need for the traffic to be routed through a central hub Earth station. SPACEWAY’s advanced antenna technology allows the dynamic formation and shaping of spot beams creating the opportunity to manage capacity flexibly and to deliver true bandwidth-on-demand services. The SPACEWAY 3 satellite will operate in the globally assigned Ka-band spectrum at 95 degrees West Longitude and will support a new range of high-speed communications services for IP data and multimedia applications to enterprise, consumer and government customers.
“Sea Launch is proud to be the launch services provider of choice to Hughes Network Systems for this cutting-edge, broadband satellite,” said Jim Maser, president of Sea Launch. “The combined expertise of our teams will bring the unique and powerful technology of the SPACEWAY platform to life in orbit.”
“This is a very exciting time for HNS,” said Pradman Kaul, chairman and CEO of Hughes Network Systems. “With the launch of SPACEWAY 3, HNS will enter a new era as a satellite system operator in addition to being a broadband services provider and satellite terminal manufacturer. Sea Launch has demonstrated that they have the capability to deliver reliable and accurate launch services. We look forward to providing exciting new, value-added solutions to our customers.”
About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HNS) is the world’s leading provider of broadband satellite network solutions for businesses and consumers, with more than 850,000 systems ordered or shipped to customers in 85 countries. HNS pioneered the development of high-speed satellite Internet access services and IP-based networks, which it markets globally under the DIRECWAY® brand. DIRECWAY terminals are based on the IPoS (IP over Satellite) global standard, approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU standards organizations.
Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, HNS maintains sales and support offices worldwide. SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SKYT – News) and The DIRECTV Group, Inc. each owns 50% of HNS. SkyTerra is its managing member. For additional information, please visit: www.hns.com.
About Sea Launch
Sea Launch Company, LLC, headquartered in Long Beach, California, USA, is the world’s most reliable heavy-lift commercial launch service. An international partnership of The Boeing Company (U.S.), Kvaerner ASA (Norway), RSC Energia (Russia) and SDO Yuzhnoye/PO Yuzhmash (Ukraine), Sea Launch offers the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary orbit for commercial spacecraft. With the advantage of a launch site on the Equator, the reliable Zenit-3SL rocket can lift a heavier spacecraft mass or provide longer life on orbit, offering best value plus schedule assurance. For additional information, please visit the Sea Launch website at: www.sea-launch.com.
