en.Wedoany.com Reported - Hughes Network Systems, the satellite subsidiary of EchoStar, could become the next business unit within the group to file for bankruptcy. The satellite communications provider faces a $1.5 billion debt maturity with a repayment deadline of August 1.

The Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that Hughes could file for bankruptcy as early as this weekend, with no pre-negotiated debt resolution plan in place. This timing comes just weeks after Dish, another EchoStar subsidiary, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. At the time, EchoStar was awaiting the completion of spectrum sales to AT&T and SpaceX, totaling $23 billion, with the AT&T portion completed this week.

EchoStar previously described Dish's bankruptcy filing as a "prepackaged" plan aimed at implementing the terms of a restructuring plan submitted in March. Hughes' financial situation is equally bleak, with only $102 million in cash on hand as of the end of the first quarter of this fiscal year. During that quarter, Hughes lost approximately 58,000 satellite broadband subscribers, ending the period with a total of about 681,000 connections.

EchoStar warned in its 10-Q filing in March about the potential inability to meet its $1.5 billion debt obligation. The latest reports indicate that if this payment misses the deadline, there will be no grace period.

Hughes satellites utilize Jupiter system technology, and its high-throughput satellite (HTS) fleet supports consumers, small businesses, enterprises, aviation, and mobile services. According to the company's website, the fleet covers the United States, Mexico, most of Canada, and much of Central and South America.