Lockheed Martin wins commercial Atlas launch contract for EchoStar XIX communications satellite
DENVER, 11 Aug. 2015. EchoStar Corp. (NASDAQ:SATS) officials sought a provider of commercial launch services for its EchoStar XIX communications satellite, scheduled to launch in late 2016 on a United Launch AllianceAtlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. They found their launch provider in Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT).
EchoStar XIX, also known as JUPITER 2, is a large, multi-spot-beam Ka-band satellite designed to help meet the growing demand for HughesNet high-speed satellite Internet service in North America. The satellite, built by SSL in Palo Alto, Calif., is designed to provide service for 15 years or more.
"This is an important launch to HughesNet customers and the Atlas V rocket makes it an ideal choice for this launch," says Steve Skladanek, president of Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services. "The Atlas program brings unmatched performance, reliability, and schedule assurance for EchoStar and Hughes."
Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services markets the Atlas V to commercial satellite customers worldwide and also offers Athena launch services for small satellites and multi-payload RideShare missions. The company is responsible for contracts, marketing, sales, and mission management for commercial and international government Atlas missions and all Athena missions.
EchoStar Corp. is a global provider of satellite and video delivery solutions headquartered in Englewood, Colo. EchoStar enables secure communications technologies through its EchoStar Satellite Services, EchoStar Technologies, and Hughes Network Systems business segments.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services.
Courtney E. Howard | Chief Editor, Intelligent Aerospace
Courtney enjoys writing about all things high-tech in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics and space geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on Google+.
