An Atlas 5 rocket used for NASA’s Juno mission. Photo: ULA

[Via Satellite 08-05-2015] Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services announced a contract from EchoStar to launch the company’s High Throughput Satellite (HTS) EchoStar 19/Jupiter 2. Lockheed Martin is scheduled to launch the satellite aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., in late 2016.

Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services is responsible for contracts, marketing, sales and mission management for commercial and international government Atlas missions and all Athena missions. Space Systems Loral (SSL) is building the EchoStar 19/Jupiter 2 Ka-band satellite, which will carry more than 120 spot beams to help meet the growing demand for HughesNetInternet service in North America. The satellite has an expected lifespan of 15 years or more.