SS/L will build Jupiter 2/EchoStar XIX Ka-band broadband satellite for Hughes

An announcement from Hughes Network Systems, LLC made it known that Space Systems/Loral will be building the JUPITER 2/EchoStar XIX satellite. The new Ka-band broadband satellite will possess the highest capacity in the world and will be used by HughesNet high-speed Internet by satellite service.

Jupiter 2/EchoStar XIX will have over 150 Gbps throughput, half again as much as the earlier, SSL-built, Hughes-operated satellite EchoStar XVII launched on July 5, 2012. Like its predecessor, the new Hughes satellite will employ a next-generation architecture. More than 120 spot beams will deliver high quality satellite broadband coverage across the United States and parts of Canada during its expected service lifetime of 15 years.

Once the JUPITER 2/EchoStar XIX enters commercial service in 2016, it will be leveraged by HughesNet, the largest high-speed Internet by satellite service in the world with 659,000 subscribers as of the end of 2012. HughesNet will use the new capacity to drive further growth in North America.