Jupiter-3 EchoStar, the world’s heaviest commercial communications satellite, is performing as expected after solar panels and antennas were placed in geostationary orbit. Maxar Technologies built a nine-tonne Ka-band satellite and provided solar panels for it. L3Harris Technologies produced the antennas for Jupiter-3. The satellite, which entered geostationary orbit with the SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket on July 28, reached a 95-degree western orbit at an altitude of 35,786 kilometers.

Extended antennas

L3Harris announced the successful deployment of Jupiter 3’s four large reflector antennas on November 20.

“The L3Harris-designed reflectors on the Jupiter-3 communications satellite are based on materials and configurations used on similar communications satellites, using flight-proven materials and assemblies,” said Colin Mitchell, vice president and general manager of L3Harris RF Systems. “The reflectors on Jupiter-3 offer the same proven design and assembly processes as other large reflectors manufactured at our facility in Florida.”

However, designing and configuring antennas to fit into standard launch fairings for ultra-high bandwidth communications satellites remains challenging. To achieve this goal, L3Harris relies on advanced technology and advanced packaging methods, Mitchell said.

Ground system testing

With Hughes Network Systems’ antennas deployed, Echostar is testing Jupiter-3’s ability to communicate with ground systems. Once tested, Jupiter-3 is expected to deliver more than 500 gigabits per second of broadband to Hughesnet customers, including airlines, businesses, governments and consumers in the Americas.

Hughes expects Jupiter-3 to be operational by the end of the year.

“Jupiter-3, the largest commercial satellite ever built, will double the bandwidth of our fleet, serve more customers living beyond cable and fiber internet access, and provide ubiquitous connectivity across America,” Echostar CEO Hamid Akhavan said in a statement. said.