The largest commercial communications satellite in GEO orbit [Jupiter 3] is about to go online

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Jupiter 3: a Talk with Hughes on the Future of Satellite Connectivity | Space Voyaging

In July, Hughes launched Jupiter 3, the largest GEO satellite ever built. We had the opportunity to interview Patrick Fisher, Senior VP and CTO of the company

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Launched atop a Falcon Heavy on July 28, 2023, Jupiter 3 (EchoStar XXIV) became the largest commercial communications satellite operating in the GEO region. Built around the Maxar 1300 satellite bus, it features two payloads: a series of narrow spot beams and a series of reflectors providing larger beams. About this technology, Patrick Fisher stated:

“We have very small beams that are super high density in the areas with the most customers and then we have larger beams designed to provide broad coverage in the areas that may have less demand.”

He added: “By putting down super tightly focused beams in the areas that have more density, we can reuse that same amount of spectrum and provide a lot of capacity to a small area here and a lot of capacity to a small area right next to it. But in order to provide coverage to a wider area, we can spread that capacity out but still put down additional power so that the signal is still nice and strong.”

Hughes’ Jupiter 3 GEO satellite in launch configuration. Credits: Hughes
Fisher, on the testing phase of Jupiter 3 and the full-scale operational deployment of the satellite:

“The best that I can share today is we will have services live before the end of the year. […] Everything is proceeding as planned. We’re right on schedule. It’s a steady process and it does take some time, so patience is required.”

As with Jupiter 1 and 2, the satellite construction was entrusted to Maxar Technologies, which previously operated under another name. Fisher, again:

“We have a long history with Maxar. This was certainly a very strategic decision to work with, we think, one of the best partners in the industry that we have a rich and successful history with.”

Bigger capacity for a better service​

Today, a lot of rural areas in the USA are not yet reached by traditional terrestrial connectivity such as cable and fiber. Hughes is heavily focusing on this market segment, and Jupiter 3 will provide the capabilities to reach those more isolated areas with quality connectivity.

The Maxar-built JUPITER 3 pictured before it was delivered to the U.S. Space Coast for launch preparations. Credits: Maxar
“The low density of major portions of the USA make it very challenging to serve with traditional terrestrial-based connections and so we’ve seen steady demand for connectivity in these rural areas. The need for bandwidth has just never been greater” said Fisher about today’s customer needs.

“It’s a very dynamic and capable satellite, the largest ever launched at the time and we’re really excited to get it in the service and to continue to grow our offerings for consumers. The overall capacity of Jupiter 3 is over 500 GBps.”

In addition to satellite internet connectivity, Jupiter 3 will support in-flight Wi-Fi, maritime connections, enterprise networks, backhaul for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), and Community Wi-Fi solutions.

“Each market has unique demands. For example, the in-flight connectivity has a certain pattern. It’s relatively predictable in terms of the flight paths and where the bandwidth needs will be.”

HughesNet Fusion​

In 2022 Hughes rolled out the HughesNet Fusion plans which combine satellite and wireless technologies, offering a high-speed, low-latency internet experience to the final US customers.

“We believe Fusion provides an excellent customer experience. It’s almost indistinguishable from a terrestrial cable or fiber connection in terms of responsiveness and availability of speed. And we think it provides a little bit better sweet spot than the traditional LEO network, which is very expensive to get off the ground, in terms of the number of satellites that have to launch and then the resulting capacity density.”

Fisher added: “Strategically, our Fusion technology allows us to dynamically take advantage of multiple paths with different characteristics. So we see this Fusion technology as something that’s applicable to a combination of Leo and Geo satellites for example. So in certain markets where it makes sense, we can use a Leo network as the low latency path instead of wireless.”

 

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Jupiter-3 deploys solar arrays and antennas in orbit

The world’s heaviest commercial communications satellite, is performing as expected after deploying solar arrays and antennas in geostationary orbit.

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Jupiter-3 deploys solar arrays and antennas in orbit​

Jupiter-3 will offer 500 gigabits per second of capacity covering the Americas

SAN FRANCISCO – EchoStar’s Jupiter-3, the world’s heaviest commercial communications satellite, is performing as expected after deploying solar arrays and antennas in geostationary orbit.

Maxar Technologies built the nine metric ton Ka-band satellite and supplied its solar panels. L3Harris Technologies manufactured antennas for Jupiter-3.

That satellite that traveled to geostationary transfer orbit July 28 on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket has reached its 95 degrees west orbital slot at an altitude of 35,786 kilometers.

Antennas Deployed​

L3Harris announced the successfully deployment Nov. 20 of Jupiter-3’s four large reflector antennas.

“The L3Harris-built reflectors onboard the Jupiter-3 communications satellite are based on materials and configurations deployed on similar communication satellites — utilizing flight proven materials and subassemblies,” Colin Mitchell, L3Harris RF Systems vice president and general manager, told SpaceNews by email. “The reflectors onboard Jupiter-3 offer proven design and assembly processes as other large reflectors that have been manufactured in our Florida facility.”

Still, it remains challenging to design and configure antennas for ultra-high-capacity communications satellites that fit inside standard launch fairings. To accomplish the objective, L3Harris relies on advanced technology and sophisticated packaging techniques, Mitchell said.

Ground System Testing​

With the antennas deployed, Echostar’s Hughes Network Systems is testing Jupiter-3’s ability to communicate with ground systems. Once testing is completed, Jupiter-3 is expected to provide more than 500 gigabits per second of broadband capacity for Hughesnet customers including airlines, corporations, governments and consumers in North and South America.

Hughes expects Jupiter-3 to enter service by the end of the year.

“As the largest commercial satellite ever built, Jupiter-3 will double the capacity of our fleet, serving more customers who live beyond the reach of cable and fiber internet by providing ubiquitous connectivity throughout the Americas,” Echostar CEO Hamid Akhavan said in a statement.