Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has announced that the EchoStar XV satellite, built for DISH Network L.L.C., is performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan.

The satellite deployed its solar arrays late Saturday night and early Sunday morning following its successful launch on Saturday from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan aboard an ILS Proton Breeze M launch vehicle provided by International Launch Services.

Later, it will fire its main thruster in order to start maneuvering into geosynchronous orbit.

"Our Space Systems/Loral team worked hard to deliver this extremely powerful and complex satellite ahead of schedule and with our customary dedication to quality and reliability," said John Celli, president of Space Systems/Loral.

"We have an excellent collaborative relationship with EchoStar and DISH Network. It is a testament to SS/L's ability to provide the right mix of technology, flexibility, and service that satellite operators such as DISH Network come back to us for their ongoing infrastructure investments."

"SS/L is always willing to take on a challenge," said Rohan Zaveri, vice president of Space Programs for EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq:SATS), which manages DISH Network's space programs.

"We asked them to provide us this satellite ahead of schedule and they exceeded our expectations. We would like to congratulate them for helping to make the launch of EchoStar XV a success."

EchoStar XV is designed to provide Ku-band services in the United States and will support DISH Network's expansion of its HD channel lineup. The satellite is based on the 20-kilowatt version of SS/L's 1300 space-proven platform, which provides the power and flexibility for a broad range of applications.

When EchoStar XV reaches its geostationary orbital slot at 61.5 degrees West longitude, Space Systems/Loral will have 62 GEO satellites on orbit.