[Scott Greczkowski]

EchoStar to Launch EchoStar VIII Satellite

LITTLETON, Colo., Jun 20, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- EchoStar Communications Corporation (NasdaqISH) announced today that its EchoStar VIII satellite is scheduled to launch from pad 23 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, on Saturday, June 22.
The satellite will launch aboard a Proton K/Block DM launch vehicle at 1:15 a.m. EDT.

EchoStar VIII is designed to operate in several different payload modes with a combination of national and spot beams. The EchoStar VIII satellite's primary operating mode will provide 16 high-power national transponders at approximately 250 watts RF and 25 spot beam transponders distributed among 16 beams. The unique spot-beam feature will allow a more efficient use of spectrum, enabling EchoStar to expand its DISH Network local-into-local service and increase in-orbit backup capacity.

The EchoStar VIII satellite will join seven other satellites currently comprising the EchoStar fleet. From its location at 110 degrees West Longitude, EchoStar VIII, combined with EchoStar VII at 119 degrees W.L., will provide Ku-band and spot-beam services over the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii to enhance the delivery of EchoStar's local-into-local TV channels.

The EchoStar VIII satellite was constructed by Space Systems/Loral based in Palo Alto, Calif., and the Proton K/Block DM launch vehicle is provided by International Launch Services based in McLean, Va.

Because of EchoStar's significant satellite backup capabilities, along with the expected increase in backup capabilities pending the successful launch of EchoStar VIII, and due to the current market for in-orbit insurance, EchoStar has not procured in-orbit insurance for EchoStar VIII. EchoStar has procured $125 million of insurance for the launch of EchoStar VIII, protecting against the risk of total launch vehicle failure not attributable to the satellite through separation of the satellite from the launch vehicle.

DISH Network is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation. DISH Network is EchoStar's state-of-the-art direct broadcast satellite TV system that is capable of offering over 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming, as well as fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware and installation. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) which contains the largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq Stock Market. DISH Network currently serves over 7.16 million customers.

CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corporation
Judianne Atencio, 303/723-2010
[email protected]
Marc Lumpkin, 303/723-2020
[email protected]

 

[RJS1111111]

NasdaqISH

Hey, I like that! An embedded grin.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Haha I didnt even notice that! Thats kind of funny. The Nasdaq Symbol is DISH

 

[Mark Holtz]

The launch hasn't shown up in my guide yet (as of 11:30 PM last night). So, the launch should be carried on Channel 101 and be on around 10:15 PM PT Friday night then.

 

[kstuart]

I should barely be able to fit it in on my PVR after:

- Odyssey 5 premier on 318 free preview
- Farscape new episode on 122

and before

- World Cup: Spain versus Korea

and having finished using all my spare time on Friday watching England vs Brazil and USA vs Germany (in order so I am not spoiled!)

 

[JohnH]

They received authority to launch and operate it today. Also, were granted STA to test at 129w.

ECHOSTAR SATELLITE CORP.. Granted the authority to launch and operate a new DBS, EchoStar VIII and co locate it with existing satellite at the 110 degree WL orbital location. Action by: Chief, Satellite Div., IB. Adopted: 06/20/2002 by O&A. (DA No. 02-1455). IB
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-02-1455A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-02-1455A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-02-1455A1.txt

 

[John Corn]

I looked at the guide last night and it has nothing regarding watching the launch......:shrug:

 

[JohnH]

It is listed on Channel 101 at 12:30 AM ET tomorrow morning.
Of course, it is not listed on the DISH Player.

ILS Media advisory(includes some statistics and C band coordinates) There will be a web cast as well).

http://www.ilslaunch.com/stories/Current_Campaigns/

 

[SParker]

Just tuned to channel 101 and saw a poster saying it is delayed for 24 to 48 hours!

 

[TNGTony]

I WANT MORE INFO! I really want to know why it was delayed. Weather? Booster issue? Payload issue? other technical reason? Fueling problems? Computer snafu? or is the mission just FUBAR? I WANT NEWS!

See ya
Tony

 

[JohnH]

Spaceflightnow.com says the problem was unspecified.

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/proton/echostar8/status.html

 

[Adam Richey]

We've waited this long. Why not wait 1 or 2 more days? Hopefully, this new satellite will bring along more basic programming, not just new locals.

 

[AllieVi]

C'mon, folks. It's a DISH product. You didn't really expect it to be delivered when promised, did you?



(sorry about that - it was just too tempting)

 

[SParker]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020622/ap_wo_en_ge/russia_us_satellite_1

 

[Mark Holtz]

"Denver, we have a problem...."

 

[JohnH]

Un-confirmed info claims ILS says the story is not true and a statement is supposed to come from EchoStar later today.

 

[Adam Richey]

I can't believe Dish doesn't have insurance on the satellites. I think I know another reason Dish wants the merger. LOL. If their satellites go haywire, they are absolutely SCREWED.

 

[JohnH]

http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=dish&script=410&layout=-6&item_id=308321