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EchoStar 6
Successfully Launched By Lockheed Martin Atlas
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A Lockheed Martin
Atlas IIAS (AC 161) successfully launched EchoStar 6 from Cape
Canaveral’s Launch Complex 36B at 10:21 p.m. PDT July 13 (0521
UTC July 14). EchoStar 6, based on an LS-1300 satellite bus
supplied by Space Systems Loral, is owned by EchoStar
Communications, Littleton, CO. The 3700.4
kg (8158 lbm) satellite will be positioned at 148°W for
testing, and (pending FCC approval) will go into service at 119°W.
The spacecraft will allow EchoStar to expand its Direct-to-Home (DTH)
satellite TV services, including additional high definition
television (HDTV) service and local TV programming. The satellite
and launch cost US$250 million.
Lockheed Martin
announced the Atlas launch vehicle performance was better than
expected. The extra boost will save EchoStar's onboard fuel
supply, extending the craft's life by at least a year. The Atlas
delivered EchoStar 6 into a super-geosynchronous transfer orbit
around Earth with an apogee of 38,193.835 km, significantly higher
than minimum required of 32,604.033 km, and a perigee of 166.676
km, slightly better than the required 166.374 km.
.
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