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ILS PROTON SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES THE ECHOSTAR XXI SATELLITE: Heaviest Satellite Launched on Proton Breeze M; 94th Proton Breeze M MissionBAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan, June 8, 2017 – International Launch Services (ILS), a leading launch services provider for the global commercial satellite industry, successfully delivered the EchoStar XXI satellite into orbit today on an ILS Proton for EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS). EchoStar is a premier global provider of satellite communication solutions headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.The ILS Proton launched from Pad 24 within the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 9:45 AM local time today (03:45 GMT, 11:45 PM ET on June 7) with the EchoStar XXI satellite on board. The first three stages of the Proton Breeze M utilized a standard ascent profile to place the orbital unit (Breeze M upper stage and the EchoStar XXI satellite) into a suborbital trajectory. Then, the Breeze M performed planned mission maneuvers to advance the orbital unit first to a nearly circular parking orbit, then to an intermediate orbit, followed by a transfer orbit, then finally to a geosynchronous transfer orbit. Separation of the EchoStar XXI satellite occurred at approximately 9 hours and 13 minutes after lift-off.This was the 413th launch for Proton since the inaugural flight in July 1965, and the 94th ILS Proton launch executed. The Proton Breeze M launch vehicle was developed and built by Khrunichev Space Center of Moscow, one of the pillars of the Russian Space industry and majority shareholder in ILS. EchoStar XXI, weighing nearly 9 metric tons, is the heaviest satellite launched by ILS Proton to date.EchoStar XXI was manufactured by SSL utilizing their space-proven 1300 platform. EchoStar XXI is a state-of-the-art S-band satellite designed to provide mobile connectivity throughout Europe to be located at the 10.25° East orbital slot. EchoStar subsidiary EchoStar Mobile Limited, an EU-wide licensee for an integrated mobile satellite service network with a complementary ground component, will utilize a portion of the capacity on EchoStar XXI to provision its next-generation, all IP-enabled mobile communications network. This 29th SSL satellite launched on Proton also features a large unfurlable reflector to provide the high performance levels required for mobile services.“We have been honored to have served EchoStar for nearly 20 years now, dating back to the launch of the EchoStar IV satellite on Proton in 1998. The ILS team is very proud to have played a role in the expansion of the EchoStar satellite fleet and enabling connectivity across Europe, with the successful launch of EchoStar XXI. Our sincere thanks to all of the EchoStar XXI team members who played a vital role in the success of this mission,” said Kirk Pysher, President of ILS.”"The launch of EchoStar XXI is a major milestone in the continued expansion of our satellite fleet," said Anders Johnson, executive director of EchoStar Mobile and president of EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. "EchoStar XXI will provide capacity to EchoStar Mobile for commercial wholesalers with a new, advanced network for reliable, IP-based MSS voice and data services in Europe. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all of the team members from EchoStar, SSL, ILS and Khrunichev, who played a role in the successful launch of EchoStar XXI.”
Peter B. de Selding @pbdes 44s44 seconds agoManufacturer @sslmda says EchoStar 21 sat healthy in orbit, sending signals. Mission success for @ILSLaunch Proton after 12-month down time.
Blagovest 1 (nº11L), the Defense comsat, should be up next: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=38014.msg1403427 A firmer launch date should be upcoming after this success.For ILS, Amazonas-5 appears to be the next manifested satellite, currently penciled in for August.
.@sslmda confirms #EchoStarXXI is performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan.
Does any has the YouTube URL of the Russian / Roscosmos webcast?
Video of the roll-out
In-orbit Testing of the EchoStar XXI Satellite Successfully CompletedAugust 29, 2017New Satellite Will Enable Enhanced Mobile Connectivity for EuropeENGLEWOOD, Colo. and DUBLIN, Aug. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) today announced the successful completion of in-orbit testing and handover of the EchoStar XXI satellite from manufacturer Space Systems Loral (SSL) to EchoStar's satellite operations team who manages flight operations via EchoStar XXI's primary satellite earth station located in Griesheim, Germany and a secondary station in Rambouillet, France.Located at 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 Limited, 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."We are pleased to announce that EchoStar XXI has passed several critical milestones since launch, including successful deployment of the 18-meter reflector and completion of in orbit testing," said Anders Johnson, executive director of EchoStar Mobile Limited and president of EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. "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.