[Stephen J]

Since AMC14 failed during launch, does anyone know what long term plans E* has to replace the aging E*3? How many more years does E*3 have left?

 

[rocatman]

This is just speculation but the E-15 satellite scheduled to be launched in 2010/2011 could be E-3's replacement. Perhaps in the second half of 2009 after Nimiq 5 replaces E-6 at 72.7 W, E-6 will be moved over there to 61.5 W to replace/augment E-3.

 

[simulated]

more speculation, echostar 14 going to 119w in ~2010, could also allow more "satellite juggling". Perhaps both echostar 7 and 14 will reside at 119w, or echostar 7 could be moved.

Echostar 3:

Launch date: 4 Oct 1997
Design lifetime: 13.5 years

so should be good till, and beyond April 2011.