The Hispasat 30W-6 satellite that was launched last night by SpaceX's Falcon 9 is already successfully performing post-launch maneuvers as planned, according to the satellite's provider SSL, a Maxar Technologies company (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.) (NYSE: MAXR; TSX: MAXR) further proving Maxar's capabilities in the new space economy.
Hispasat 30W-6 satellite, previously called Hispasat 1F, deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. It will begin firing its main thruster tomorrow to propel toward its final geostationary orbit. The satellite incorporates technical innovations that will help reduce mass and improve performance, resulting in an enhanced business case for satellite communications.
SSL-built Hispasat 30W-6 communications satellite was successfully launched by SpaceX.
Dario Zamarian, group president, SSL said that the advances on Hispasat 30W-6 represent their strong commitment to providing customers with next-generation spacecraft flexibility, reliability, and value, and he thanked the teams at HISPASAT, SpaceX, and SSL for making this mission a success.
SSL and Hispasat worked together to include key developments on Hispasat 30W-6, which has a primary mission of providing communications services in Europe the Americas and north of Africa with its state-of-the-art photonics receiver, which will prove the value of using the advanced technology for photonic frequency conversion and routing of radio frequency signals within the communications satellite. The photonics receiver demonstration, provided under technology partnership between SSL and DAS Photonics, replaces traditional microwave components with optical, solid-state components to demonstrate an integrated photonic solution. In the future, this technology will enable enhanced payload performance, greater architecture flexibility, and very high throughput satellite solutions.
Carlos Espinós, chief executive officer at HISPASAT said that Hispasat 30W-6 is the fourth satellite that SSL has provided to their company, and expands their services offerings and capacity in the covered regions. He added that SSL continues to deliver reliable satellite solutions with cutting edge advances that improve their business case and help to enable future space systems and missions.
SSL, a Silicon Valley company for 60 years, is based in Palo Alto, California and provides advanced spacecraft systems, with the expertise to support commercial and government satellite operators and space missions, and designs and manufactures spacecraft for services such as direct-to-home television, video content distribution, broadband internet, mobile communications, in-orbit servicing, space exploration, and Earth observation. SSL’s products include small satellites, robotics and autonomous solutions for remote operations. SSL is a Maxar Technologies company (NYSE: MAXR; TSX: MAXR).
Maxar Technologies (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates) provides space technology solutions for commercial and government markets including satellites, Earth imagery, geospatial data and analytics. With more than 6,500 employees in over 21 locations, the Maxar Technologies portfolio of commercial space brands includes: SSL, MDA, DigitalGlobe, and Radiant Solutions. Maxar trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange as MAXR.