1/4
The JUPITER 3 communications satellite is showcased in its launch configuration, before being encapsulated by the rocket. This stunning photo is courtesy of Hughes.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., July 26 (UPI) — Kennedy Space Center in Florida is ready for the launch of the school bus-size Hughes communications satellite, JUPITER 3, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on Wednesday night.
With a price tag of $90 million, JUPITER 3, built by Maxar Technologies in Palo Alto, Calif., is the largest commercial communications satellite ever constructed, according to Sharyn Nerenberg, Hughes’ vice president of corporate communications.
Once deployed, the JUPITER 3 satellite will have the wingspan of a commercial airliner and weigh over 20 tons, making it a colossal addition to space technology.
The liftoff is scheduled for 11:04 p.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A, with a launch window of 99 minutes. Weather conditions are expected to be 85% favorable, as predicted by U.S. Space Force forecasters.
After separating from the rocket, the JUPITER 3 spacecraft will maneuver itself into a station-keeping slot, where it will serve as a relay station. This satellite, also known as EchoStar XXIV, will provide a transmission capacity of 500 gigabits per second throughout the Americas.
Operating in Ka band, the JUPITER 3 satellite is equipped with an ultra-high-density system designed to deliver a faster and more responsive Internet experience, catering to the growing demands for capacity. By utilizing small, densely concentrated spot beams, Hughes can provide targeted capacity to areas where it is needed the most.
JUPITER 3 is specifically designed to serve customers in North and South America, ranging from regular consumers to small businesses and government organizations. With its 300 beacons focusing on the service area, this satellite will achieve its advertised ultra-high-density service capacity.
JUPITER 2, the predecessor to JUPITER 3, offers a transmission capacity of 200 gigabits per second, while JUPITER 1 provides 120 Gb/s, highlighting the significant improvement of the latest satellite.
In addition to providing increased capacity and higher connection speeds, JUPITER 3 will support Wi-Fi for commercial airlines, maritime interests, enterprise networking, and cellular telephone service. This expansion of resources will benefit areas that lack fiber optics and cable services.
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, known for its exceptional power, will propel JUPITER 3 into orbit over the Equator. Composed of three Falcon 9 rockets side by side, the rocket’s second stage is responsible for sending the satellite to its final orbit perch.
Once separated from the second stage, the first stage and boosters will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere. The boosters will return to landing pads at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, adjacent to Kennedy Space Center.
The Falcon Heavy rocket stands at a height of 230 feet and has a diameter of 40 feet. It utilizes a blend of refined hydrocarbons, commonly known as kerosene, along with liquid oxygen as fuel. The rocket consists of three reusable Falcon 9 nine-engine cores, generating a combined thrust of 5.1 million pounds, equivalent to 18 Jumbo 747 airliners, according to SpaceX.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
