News
EchoStar has taken another critical step towards plans to launch a new constellation of low Earth orbit satellites by 2029.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
MDA Space has been selected as the prime contractor for EchoStar’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, which has an estimated price tag of $5 billion.
Colorado-based EchoStar announced the decision to land with MDA Space for an initial contract, valued at approximately $1.3 billion, late last week.
The contract covers design, manufacturing, and testing for “the first tranche” of over 100 direct-to-device (D2D) satellites, according to the global connectivity provider’s release.
“The full initial configuration of the system consists of 200 satellites with future growth to thousands, as demand requires,” the announcement stated.
“The full initial configuration of the system consists of 200 satellites with future growth to thousands, as demand requires,” the announcement stated.
Mike Greenley, the CEO of MDA Space, said the contract represents the Ontario-based company’s continued momentum in the marketplace.
His remarks continued, adding that MDA Space seeks “to be the prime contractor of choice for satellite operators in the direct-to-device and broadband connectivity.”
Overall, EchoStar has invested over $18 billion in non-terrestrial network satellite connectivity since 2012, according to the company.
Hamid Akhavan, the president and CEO of EchoStar, says it’s that past experience that helps make EchoStar uniquely positioned to execute on their plans for a new LEO constellation.
“Critically, this will foster U.S. leadership in the growing space economy,” said Akhavan, who was quoted in EchoStar’s announcement.
According to EchoStar, the new constellation will utilize 25×20 MHz of AWS-4/S-band 2GHz frequencies.
In addition to messaging, voice, broadband data, and video services, EchoStar says the constellation will also “connect to an array of sensor and mobile vehicles.”
The company expects the delivery of satellites in 2028, and the launch of commercial service in 2029, according to their August 1 announcement.
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