Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications and the world's leading provider of high-power commercial satellites, today announced that it has been awarded a contract to manufacture a new direct broadcast satellite (DBS) for EchoStar Orbital Corporation II, a subsidiary of EchoStar Communications Corporation. EchoStar XIV will provide expanded services and flexibility for DISH Network's more than 13 million direct-to-home (DTH) television subscribers.
"Our long-term relationship with EchoStar is an endorsement of the performance, reliability and service that our company provides. With an ever-increasing amount of programming options, it is an exciting time for the DTH industry and Space Systems/Loral is well positioned to help EchoStar meet its growing demand for advanced services" - John Celli, president of Space Systems/Loral.
"As the fastest-growing pay-TV provider in the nation and an innovator in advanced services such as HDTV, we need the power and capacity that a satellite from Space Systems/Loral can provide" - Rohan Zaveri, vice president of Space Programs for EchoStar.
There are currently three SS/L-built satellites on orbit in the EchoStar fleet. EchoStar XIV is based on SS/L's 1300 platform, which features qualified, flight proven subsystems and a long record of reliable operation. Its high efficiency solar arrays and lightweight batteries are designed to provide uninterrupted electrical power. In all, SS/L satellites have amassed more than 1,300 years of reliable on-orbit service.
