Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has announced that the EchoStar XVII satellite, designed and built for Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes), a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar, was launched yesterday and is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan.

The satellite deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard an Ariane 5 vehicle provided by Arianespace from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Tomorrow, the satellite will begin firing its main thruster in order to start maneuvering into geostationary orbit.

"It has been our privilege to work with Hughes on this advanced satellite for broadband in the U.S.," said John Celli, president of Space Systems/Loral. "The excellent spirit of teamwork between our companies has resulted in one of the world's highest capacity satellites to ever launch."

EchoStar XVII, with JUPITER high-throughput technology, is an all Ka-band, broadband satellite designed to provide HughesNet Gen4 high-speed satellite Internet service in North America. With more than 100 gigabits per second capacity for enhanced service to both consumers and businesses, the satellite's complex multi-spot beam architecture will focus capacity in the areas in North America with the highest traffic demand.

"Space Systems/Loral has been an excellent partner in building EchoStar XVII," said Pradman Kaul, president of Hughes. "This satellite was many years in planning and we are excited that it is now beginning its performance in space."

EchoStar XVII is based on the highly reliable Space Systems/Loral 1300 space-proven platform which provides the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The spacecraft is designed to deliver service for 15 years or more. With this launch, there are 70 SS/L-built geostationary satellites currently on orbit.