SSL selected by Hughes to build high capacity Ka-band broadband satellite

JUPITER™ 2/EchoStar XIX to provide 50 percent more throughput than EchoStar XVII launched last summer

PALO ALTO, CA, March 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Space Systems/Loral (SSL), today announced that it has been selected by Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes), a wholly owned subsidiary of  EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) to build what will be the world's highest capacity broadband satellite—JUPITER 2/EchoStar XIX. The new Ka-band satellite will help meet the growing demand for HughesNet^® Gen4 high-speed satellite Internet service in North America, with 50 percent more capacity than EchoStar XVII, also known as JUPITER 1, which was launched in July 2012.

"Hughes is a pioneer in providing satellite broadband to the consumer market and there is an excellent spirit of teamwork between our companies," said John Celli, president of SSL. "JUPITER 2/EchoStar XIX will be the highest capacity broadband satellite ever built, as a result of technology advances from both our companies."

JUPITER 2/EchoStar XIX is a large, multi-spot beam Ka-band satellite based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 space-proven platform, which provides the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. SSL is the leader in building high-throughput broadband satellites with four decades of Ka-band experience. The satellite is designed to provide service for 15 years or longer and is planned to be launched in mid-2016.

"We are very glad to once again work with SSL's innovative use of spotbeam technology to leapfrog prior capabilities," said Pradman Kaul, president of Hughes. "EchoStar XVII is performing very well on orbit and record growth of our HughesNet Gen4 high-speed Internet service has given us the confidence that we need for continued fleet expansion."

About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the world's leading provider of satellite broadband for home and office, delivering innovative network technologies, managed services, and solutions for enterprises and governments globally. HughesNet is the #1 high-speed satellite Internet service in the marketplace, with offerings to suit every budget. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 3.3 million systems to customers in over 100 countries, representing over 50 percent market share.  Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes operates sales and support offices worldwide, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), a premier global provider of satellite operations and digital TV solutions. For additional information about Hughes, please visit www.hughes.com.

About SSL
SSL has a long history of delivering reliable satellites and spacecraft systems for commercial and government customers around the world. As the world's leading provider of commercial satellites, the company works closely with satellite operators to provide spacecraft for a broad range of services including television and radio distribution, digital audio radio, broadband Internet, and mobile communications. Billions of people around the world depend on SSL satellites every day. For more information, visit www.ssloral.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of Space Systems/Loral (SSL) with respect to future events and financial performance.  When used in this news release, the words "believes", "expects", "plans", "may", "will", "would", "could", "should", "anticipates", "estimates", "project", "intend" or "outlook" or other variations of these words or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Known risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: risks associated with operating satellites and providing satellite services, including satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures or impaired satellite performance; risks associated with satellite manufacturing, including competition, cyclicality of SSL's end-user markets, contractual risks, creditworthiness of customers, performance of suppliers and management of SSL's factory and personnel; risk associated with financial factors such as volatility in exchange rates, increases in interest rates, restrictions on access to capital, and swings in global financial markets; risks associated with domestic and foreign government regulation, including export controls and economic sanctions; and other risks, including litigation. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. The information contained in this news release reflects SSL's beliefs, assumptions, intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, SSL disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise the information herein.

SOURCE SSL