SAN FRANCISCO – EchoStar’s Jupiter-3, the world’s heaviest business communications satellite tv for pc, is performing as anticipated after deploying photo voltaic arrays and antennas in geostationary orbit.
Maxar Applied sciences constructed the 9 metric ton Ka-band satellite tv for pc and equipped its photo voltaic panels. L3Harris Applied sciences manufactured antennas for Jupiter-3.
That satellite tv for pc that traveled to geostationary switch orbit July 28 on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket has reached its 95 levels west orbital slot at an altitude of 35,786 kilometers.
Antennas Deployed
L3Harris introduced the efficiently deployment Nov. 20 of Jupiter-3’s 4 giant reflector antennas.
“The L3Harris-built reflectors onboard the Jupiter-3 communications satellite tv for pc are primarily based on supplies and configurations deployed on comparable communication satellites — using flight confirmed supplies and subassemblies,” Colin Mitchell, L3Harris RF Techniques vice chairman and common supervisor, informed SpaceNews by e-mail. “The reflectors onboard Jupiter-3 provide confirmed design and meeting processes as different giant reflectors which have been manufactured in our Florida facility.”
Nonetheless, it stays difficult to design and configure antennas for ultra-high-capacity communications satellites that match inside customary launch fairings. To perform the target, L3Harris depends on superior expertise and complicated packaging strategies, Mitchell mentioned.
Floor System Testing
With the antennas deployed, Echostar’s Hughes Community Techniques is testing Jupiter-3’s means to speak with floor programs. As soon as testing is accomplished, Jupiter-3 is predicted to offer greater than 500 gigabits per second of broadband capability for Hughesnet prospects together with airways, companies, governments and shoppers in North and South America.
Hughes expects Jupiter-3 to enter service by the tip of the yr.
“As the biggest business satellite tv for pc ever constructed, Jupiter-3 will double the capability of our fleet, serving extra prospects who dwell past the attain of cable and fiber web by offering ubiquitous connectivity all through the Americas,” Echostar CEO Hamid Akhavan mentioned in an announcement.
