New York, July 26: The highly anticipated launch of the world’s largest private communications satellite, Jupiter 3, is scheduled for Wednesday, as announced by Hughes Network Systems. Built by Maxar Technologies, this ultra high-density satellite will be carried into space aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket, set to launch at 11.04 p.m. on Wednesday (8.34 a.m. IST on Thursday) from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Positioned at an impressive 22,300 miles above the Earth’s equator, Jupiter 3 is a powerful geostationary satellite designed to deliver gigabytes of connectivity to customers across North and South America. It marks a new era of connectivity, being the largest commercial communications satellite ever built, with a wingspan approaching that of a commercial airliner, according to the company’s statement.
The satellite’s capabilities are extensive, including doubling the capacity of the Hughes Jupiter satellite fleet. Moreover, Jupiter 3 will provide support for in-flight Wi-Fi, maritime connections, enterprise networks, backhaul for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), and Community Wi-Fi solutions, in addition to satellite internet connectivity across the Americas.
Jupiter 3 boasts an impressive design, with approximately 14 high-powered solar panels that will harness the sun’s energy to power the satellite throughout its estimated 15-year lifetime. Each side of the satellite is adorned with 7 solar panels, measuring a remarkable 127 feet end to end when fully deployed, surpassing the size of the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale.
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, expressed readiness for the launch, with the Falcon Heavy rocket and its 27 Merlin rocket engines capable of producing over 5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. This powerful rocket can carry almost 27,215 kg to geosynchronous orbit.
During the Jupiter 3 mission, the rocket’s two side boosters are expected to perform boost-back burns, aiming to return to SpaceX’s Landing Zones 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral approximately 8 or 9 minutes after launch. However, the core booster will not attempt a sea landing on one of SpaceX’s autonomous drone ships, as it usually does for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches. Instead, the core stage will utilize its fuel reserves to precisely position the substantial Jupiter 3 satellite into its designated orbit.
