SSL Delivers Powerful, High Capacity Broadband Satellite for Hughes to Cape Canaveral Launch Base

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Nov 07, 2016, 09:00 ET

PALO ALTO, Calif. and GERMANTOWN, Md., Nov. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Space Systems Loral (SSL), a leading provider of innovative satellites and spacecraft systems, and Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes), a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), today announced that the EchoStar XIX satellite, which SSL designed and built for Hughes, has arrived at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, where it will be launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle. When launched, EchoStar XIX will be the world's highest capacity broadband satellite, dramatically increasing capacity for HughesNet^® high-speed satellite Internet service in North America. EchoStar XIX will join EchoStar XVII and SPACEWAY® 3 to power the continued growth of HughesNet—America's #1 choice for satellite Internet.

"SSL and Hughes have a long term collaborative relationship that has helped to expand the limits of satellite technology," said John Celli, president of SSL. "We worked closely to develop one of the world's highest capacity satellites on orbit today and it has been our pleasure to further advance satellite's capability with EchoStar XIX, which will bring the benefits of quality, high-speed internet service to families and businesses."

When launched, EchoStar XIX will provide significantly more capacity than EchoStar XVII, which was also built by SSL and launched in 2012. EchoStar XIX will enable the next generation of HughesNet with more speed, more data and more advanced features for consumers and small businesses coast to coast who are unserved or underserved by terrestrial broadband Internet services.

Like EchoStar XVII, EchoStar XIX is a large, multi-spot beam Ka-band satellite based on the powerful SSL 1300 platform, which has the capability to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. SSL has built nearly 50 satellites with HTS payloads, including two of the highest capacity broadband satellites in service today, and the world's first true high throughput satellite, which was launched in 2005.

"SSL has been an innovative and reliable partner in the expansion of our highly advanced satellite fleet," said Pradman Kaul, president of Hughes. "EchoStar XIX will provide us with added capacity to meet the burgeoning demand for HughesNet® high-speed satellite Internet service and we look forward to next month's launch with great anticipation."

About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the global leader in satellite broadband for home and office, delivering innovative technology solutions and a comprehensive suite of HughesON™ managed services for enterprises and governments worldwide. 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 5 million systems to customers in over 100 countries, representing approximately 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 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.

About SSL
Space Systems Loral (SSL) is a leading provider of commercial satellites with broad expertise to support satellite operators and innovative space related missions. The company designs and manufactures spacecraft for services such as direct-to-home television, video content distribution, broadband internet, mobile communications, and Earth observation. As a Silicon Valley innovator for more than 50 years, SSL's advanced product line also includes state-of-the-art small satellites, and sophisticated robotics and automation solutions for remote operations. For more information, visit www.sslmda.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of Space Systems Loral (SSL) with respect to future events and financial performance. When used in this news release, the words "believes", "expects", "plans", "may", "will", "would", "could", "should", "anticipates", "estimates", "project", "intend" or "outlook" or other variations of these words or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Known risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: risks associated with operating satellites and providing satellite services, including satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures or impaired satellite performance; risks associated with satellite manufacturing, including competition, cyclicality of SSL's end-user markets, contractual risks, creditworthiness of customers, performance of suppliers and management of SSL's factory and personnel; risk associated with financial factors such as volatility in exchange rates, increases in interest rates, restrictions on access to capital, and swings in global financial markets; risks associated with domestic and foreign government regulation, including export controls and economic sanctions; and other risks, including litigation. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. The information contained in this news release reflects SSL's beliefs, assumptions, intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, SSL disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise the information herein.

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SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC