SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launched EchoStar, a powerful new communications satellite that will deliver broadband service across nearly 80% of North and South America.
The Falcon Heavy’s first stage, made up of three strapped-together Falcon 9 boosters, roared to life with a sky-lighting burst of flaming exhaust at 11:04 p.m. Eastern time.
The Jupiter 3 satellite’s onboard thrusters will circularize the orbit at an altitude of 22,300 miles above the equator at 95 degrees west longitude.
Jupiter 3, a.k.a as EchoStar 24, is the heaviest commercial communications satellite ever launched. With solar panels stretching 127 feet from tip to tip, the satellite will provide broadband service through EchoStar’s subsidiary, Hughes Network Systems. Xplorenet Communications, a long-time Hughes partner, will provide service across Canada.
EchoStar’s satellites represent an alternative approach to space-based internet, using a few, very powerful high-altitude data relay stations.
The low-altitude systems provide high speeds and low latency, passing off a user’s internet activity from one satellite to another as they streak overhead. Geosynchronous satellites are much farther away and signals take longer to traverse the distance. But no handoffs are required and multiple beams deliver relatively fast service to high-demand areas.
