SSL has announced that the EchoStar XXIII satellite, designed and built for EchoStar Corporation is successfully performing post-launch manoeuvers according to plan. The satellite deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 and will fire its main thruster propel itself toward its final circular orbit in the geostationary arc. SSL is a subsidiary of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, Ltd., a global communications and information company.
“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.”
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.
“SSL has been an important manufacturing partner to EchoStar,” said Anders Johnson, president of EchoStar Satellite Services. “We are pleased to add another SSL-built satellite to our 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.
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