 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
EchoStar VII Ready For Launch
Littleton - Feb 20, 2002 EchoStar said Tuesday that its EchoStar VII satellite is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Fla., on Feb. 21, 2002. A 61-minute launch window opens at 7:13 a.m., EST. EchoStar VII is a high-powered, direct broadcast satellite (DBS) equipped with 32 high-power, full continental United States (CONUS) transponders capable of operating at 120 watts per channel, which are switchable to 16 super high-power, full-CONUS transponders capable of operating at 240 watts per channel. Five transponder frequencies may also be used in a spot beam mode for a potential total of 15 spot beams. EchoStar VII is planned to replace the capacity of the EchoStar IV satellite, which has experienced a series of anomalies materially impacting its functionality. Operating from the 119-degrees West Longitude orbital location, EchoStar VII, assuming successful completion of on-orbit check out, will also provide local channels by satellite to consumers in Alaska and Hawaii. EchoStar VII, together with EchoStar VIII which is expected to launch later this year, will also provide a broader array of programming choices to consumers in Alaska and Hawaii, improve spectrum efficiency, enhance the quality of video channels for all DISH Network customers, and increase in-orbit backup capacity. The EchoStar VII satellite design is based on a Lockheed Martin A2100AX series spacecraft that offers the most advanced DBS service available in today's market, including flexible payload design and advanced spot beam capabilities. EchoStar VII is scheduled to launch on a Lockheed Martin Atlas IIIB rocket by International Launch Services. The Atlas III launch vehicle system, which includes IIIA and IIIB, is evolved from Lockheed Martin's highly successful Atlas launch vehicle program. With six satellites in orbit today, EchoStar's satellite fleet has the capacity to offer more than 500 television channels to its more than 6.4 million DISH Network satellite TV customers. Because of EchoStar's significant satellite backup capabilities along with the expected increase in backup capabilities pending the successful launch of EchoStar VII and EchoStar VIII satellites, and due to the current market for in-orbit insurance, EchoStar has not procured in-orbit insurance for EchoStar VII. EchoStar has procured $125 million of insurance for the launch of EchoStar VII, protecting against the risk of total launch vehicle failure not attributable to the satellite through separation of the satellite from the launch vehicle. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links EchoStar International Launch Services Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Launch Pad at Space-Travel.com
Soyuz To Launch Radarsat-2
Evry, France (SPX) Jan 11, 2006Starsem announced Monday the signing of a contract with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) for the launch of MDA's RADARSAT-2 Earth observation satellite by a Soyuz launch vehicle. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
