Gregg Lengling
08-05-2003, 06:00 AM
EchoStar's next satellite, containing the first commercial Ka-Band payload for use over the United States, is slated for launch later this week.
The EchoStar IX spacecraft is set to fly Thursday, Aug. 7, at 11:31 p.m. EST. The satellite will launch from a floating platform at the equator aboard a Sea Launch rocket.
EchoStar said the Ka-Band portion of the satellite will be utilized to deliver future broadband initiatives. The satellite payload also includes Ku-Band fixed satellite service (FSS) transponders that will support EchoStar's DISH Network satellite TV service.
The satellite will operate at the company's 121-degree orbital location.
An additional C-Band payload on the satellite is owned and operated by Loral Skynet, and will operate as Telstar 13.
The EchoStar IX spacecraft is set to fly Thursday, Aug. 7, at 11:31 p.m. EST. The satellite will launch from a floating platform at the equator aboard a Sea Launch rocket.
EchoStar said the Ka-Band portion of the satellite will be utilized to deliver future broadband initiatives. The satellite payload also includes Ku-Band fixed satellite service (FSS) transponders that will support EchoStar's DISH Network satellite TV service.
The satellite will operate at the company's 121-degree orbital location.
An additional C-Band payload on the satellite is owned and operated by Loral Skynet, and will operate as Telstar 13.