We’re all about powering a connected future here at Hughes – whether here on Earth, or up in space, we’re doing our part to ensure that the future is sustainable. Here are three ways Hughes is committed to sustainability.
1. We Recycle and Use Materials Efficiently. Our recycling program continues to grow, with recycling making up an increasingly larger portion of total output compared to trash, peaking at 85%. We recycle everything from cardboard, scrap metal and yard trim to batteries, lights and used oil, and in just the last five years, we’ve saved:
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754 Trees
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89,129 Gallons of Oil
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26,188,913 Hours of Electricity
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227,378 Gallons of Water
Geostationary satellites are by nature highly resource efficient, given that they are intended to last many years in orbit. Our forthcoming JUPITER 3 satellite is one example of the power of a single satellite to deliver half a terabit of capacity, highly efficiently.
With the groundbreaking of our new manufacturing facility, we are optimizing operations and designing a more effective product flow in and out of the building, as well as installing energy efficient HVAC and other systems.
2. We Support STEM Initiatives. As a longtime partner of National 4-H, the premier youth development organization, we help make Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) accessible to children across the country. The future of our planet and its sustainability depends on the innovation from the future technology leaders – and we are committed to providing the resources they need to succeed. Our most recent collaboration lets you blast off into space with an interactive augmented reality experience to explore how satellite internet communications work. Go here to see this immersive activity from 4-H in action.
3. We Advocate for Space Resources. We recognize the vast possibilities of space for satellite communications, observation and monitoring, exploration and more. But, “None of these efforts will be successful without a concerted effort to protect and care for space as a resource. While space itself may be infinite, the usable space around the Earth is finite and growing increasingly crowded,” says Jennifer Manner, senior vice president of Regulatory Affairs at EchoStar/Hughes, in an opinion piece for The Hill.
The time to preserve our space resources is now, as NGSO constellations continue to accelerate at an unprecedented rate. We actively participate in industry associations working to address space sustainability and, as an owner and operator of satellites in space, Hughes complies with all regulations and policies.
This World Space Week – and year-round – we celebrate the sustainability efforts of our industry peers as we all work together to contribute to a sustainable space environment.