Hughes Space and Communications' first HS-702 satellite was due to be launched on 21 December aboard an Ariane 4.
The HS-702, which will be PanAmSat's Galaxy XI satellite, will be the largest commercial communications satellite deployed in orbit - equipped with 64 transponders (40 Ku-band and 24 C-band) and operating at 10kW of power. Nine HS-702s are on order from four customers.
Meanwhile, Hughes Space and Communications' sister company DirecTV has ordered a new high-power spot-beam satellite, DirecTV 4S.
The HS-601HP satellite will be the first in the company's fleet to use highly focused spot-beam technology to expand its local channel offerings.
The satellite, the fifth built by Hughes for DirecTV, will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2001 to be stationed at 101íW, with a service life of 15 years.
Source: Flight International
