Space Systems Loral (SSL) has completed the successful in-orbit testing and handing over of the EchoStar XXI satellite to EchoStar's satellite operations team. Located in the geosynchronous orbital location of 10.25° East longitude, EchoStar XXI carries a state-of-the-art S-band Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) payload that will enable EchoStar subsidiary EchoStar Mobile, with commercial operations headquartered in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, to provide mobile connectivity for small and medium-sized enterprises, large corporations and government agencies throughout Europe.
EchoStar XXI has passed several critical milestones since the launch, including successful deployment of the 18-meter reflector and completion of in orbit testing. The capacity that EchoStar XXI will provide to the EchoStar Mobile satellite-based network will enable reliable, IP-based MSS connectivity for voice and data throughout Europe, including all 28 members of the European Union.
With the completion of in-orbit testing of the satellite, EchoStar Mobile and EchoStar-subsidiary Hughes Network Systems Europe have begun the process of end-to-end integration of the satellite and terrestrial network. EchoStar Mobile is scheduled to launch commercial services across the European Union upon completion of this integration, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2017. As previously announced, EchoStar Mobile services will be provided in association with partners, including European-wide distribution provided by U.K.-based Bentley Walker.
EchoStar XXI was launched on an ILS Proton Breeze M launch vehicle from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on June 8, 2017 at 06:45 AM local time (June 7 at 11:45 PM EDT time). With the launch of EchoStar XXI, the EchoStar fleet now numbers 26 owned, leased and managed satellites.
