Hughes Supports FIRST Competition for Science Students

Annual Robotics Events Promote STEM Education for High School Students

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Mar 26, 2012, 08:30 ET

GERMANTOWN, Md., March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite solutions and services, today announced it will again support the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST^®) Robotics Competition, for the sixth consecutive year. In addition to its sponsorship, Hughes executives participated as judges for the Chesapeake Regional competition which was held March 8-10, 2012 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, MD, and will participate as judges in the DC Regional competition being held March 29-31, 2012 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Winners of the regional competitions will participate in the FIRST Championship being held April 25-28, 2012 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, MO.

(LOGO: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110112/NE29456LOGO)

"Hughes is committed to helping students cultivate a deep interest in science and engineering to nurture the next generation of technology leaders," said Dr. Arunas Slekys, vice president of Corporate Marketing, Hughes. "This is truly their Super Bowl and gives them the opportunity to experience the challenge of solving real-world engineering problems in a team-oriented and fun competition."

The FIRST Robotics Competition gathers teams of 15-25 high school students to build a complete robotics package with the assistance of mentors – from raising funds and creating a brand, to the intricate process of programming a robot to complete specified tasks. Teams are judged for robot design, creativity, innovation, performance and teamwork – both during the competition as well as throughout the entire process.

"Science and engineering underpins our ability to create a more efficient and effective government and military, protecting our homeland and better serving our citizens," said Allen Murray, senior director of the Defense and Intelligence Systems Division, Hughes, and judge at the Chesapeake Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. "We congratulate these young technologists, future engineers and leaders, who are paving the way for continued innovation and advancement of our society."

About FIRST

The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self confidence, knowledge, and life skills, while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from three out of every five Fortune 500 companies and nearly $12 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST^® Robotics Competition (FRC^®) and FIRST^®Tech Challenge (FTC^®) for high-school students, FIRST^®LEGO^® League (FLL^®) for 9 to 14-year-olds, (9 to 16-year-olds outside the U.S. and Canada) and Junior FIRST^® LEGO^® League (Jr.FLL) for 6 to 9-year-olds. Gracious Professionalism™ is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the world's leading provider of satellite broadband for home and office, delivering innovative network technologies, managed services, and solutions for enterprises and governments globally. HughesNet^® is the #1 high-speed satellite Internet service in the marketplace, with offerings to suit every budget. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 2.8 million systems to customers in over 100 countries, representing over 50 percent market share. Its products employ global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A, and GMR-1.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes operates sales and support offices worldwide, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), a premier global provider of satellite operations and digital TV solutions. For additional information about Hughes, please visit www.hughes.com.

SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC