HUGHES SPACE AND COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY Communications and Customer Relations P.O. Box 92919 (S10/S323) Los Angeles, CA 90009 (310) 364-6363 www.hughespace.com

The executives, Ronald V. Swanson and Ronald D. Symmes, received the AIAA Space Systems Award last month during the organization's annual Space Programs and Technology Conference, held in Huntsville, Ala. AIAA cited them for "outstanding leadership in the design, development and orbit operation of the HS 601 communications satellite product line, the most widely purchased spacecraft in space flight history."

Swanson and Symmes led HSC's development program for the HS 601, which was introduced in 1987 as Hughes' first body-stabilized satellite design. In 10 years, Hughes has received orders for 65 versions of the HS 601 from commercial and government customers on four continents, making it the single best-selling large satellite model. Thirty-five have been launched since mid-1992. HSC is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites, having built nearly 40 percent of those in operation, and is a leading supplier of spacecraft and instruments to the U.S. government.

Swanson headed the HS 601 development program, concentrating on the spacecraft bus design. Symmes was responsible for systems engineering. He also managed the first HS 601 production program, the Optus B satellites for Australia, which were launched in 1992 and 1994.

Swanson managed the second production program, the UHF Follow-On series of 10 spacecraft for the U.S. Navy. The first of those was launched in 1993. As a testimony to the flexibility of the HS 601, the Navy has been able to add capabilities to the satellite payload while keeping the same basic configuration. The eighth UHF satellite will be launched in the first quarter of next year, carrying payloads for UHF, EHF and a Department of Defense Global Broadcasting Service.

Developing a body-stabilized satellite was a radical move for HSC, which built its unparalleled reputation for reliability on spinning spacecraft. The workhorse HS 376 model held the title of world's best-seller until being eclipsed by the HS 601 in 1995. Typically, the HS 376 carried 24 transponders, generated 800-1000 watts and operated 8-10 years. HSC anticipated that in the 1990s and beyond, customers would want longer-lived, higher-power, multiple-payload satellites for such applications as direct-to-home television broadcasting, private business networks using very small aperture terminals, and mobile communications.

"To increase the power level of a spinning satellite, HSC could have made the spacecraft wider," Swanson said. But current launch vehicles don't accommodate satellites more than 4 meters in diameter. "The baseline HS 601 was envisioned to provide 2-6 kilowatts and double the capacity of the HS 376, and still fit comfortably within the rocket fairing with its solar wings folded accordion-style. We could increase the power with additional solar panels, which when stowed add only a few inches to the satellite's width," he added.

Over the years the HS 601 has proven its versatility. It meets both government and commercial requirements with a common bus design, and can be carried by most of the world's launch vehicles.

The first contracts were for satellites in the 2-4 kilowatt range. In 1995, a more powerful version, the HS 601HP, made its debut. The HP versions generate 6 kilowatts to nearly 10 kilowatts at beginning of life, using gallium arsenide solar cells developed by Spectrolab Inc., a subsidiary of Hughes Electronics Corporation.

Hughes recently saw the launch of its first HS 601HP satellite, PAS-5, on Aug. 27. It's one of the most powerful commercial satellites in orbit, generating 9.7 kilowatts. PAS-5 also features a new, Hughes-developed electronic propulsion system for stationkeeping, called XIPS, which employs xenon ions. Traditionally, satellites have used chemical propulsion systems.

Key to the XIPS advantage is improved efficiency. With a XIPS system onboard, propellant mass on a satellite designed for 12 to 15 years of operation can be reduced by up to 90 percent. As a result, customers can opt to launch a satellite at a lower cost, or, because of the weight tradeoffs possible with the XIPS system, can either extend satellite life or increase payload capabilities while holding satellite weight constant.

"All HS 601 spacecraft use the same basic bus design, allowing Hughes to realize efficiencies gained by production volume, tooling investments and quantity buys. These efficiencies translate to competitive pricing for the customer," Symmes said. The HS 601 body is composed of two modules. The primary structure carries all launch vehicle loads and contains the propulsion subsystem. The second module is a structure of honeycomb shelves that hold the communications equipment, electronics, battery packs and isothermal heat pipes. Reflectors, antenna feeds and solar arrays mount directly to the primary module, and antenna configurations can be placed on three faces of the bus. "This modular approach allows work to proceed in parallel, thereby shortening the cycle time. HSC builds an HS 601 in two years, on average, depending on the payload complexity," Symmes added.

Swanson has been with Hughes 32 years. He holds dual responsibilities as a vice president for commercial business at HSC, and president of a new subsidiary, Hughes Global Services Inc. Symmes, a 24-year Hughes veteran, is vice president for operations, responsible for spacecraft design, production and system design capabilities. Both were named to those positions in January.

HSC is a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation. The earnings of Hughes Electronics are used to calculate the earnings per share attributable to GMH (NYSE symbol) common stock.