International Launch Services (ILS), a leading mission and launch services provider for the global commercial satellite industry, successfully carried the EchoStar XIV satellite into orbit today on an ILS Proton for DISH Network L.L.C., the fastest growing pay-TV provider in America. This was the second ILS Proton launch and the fourth overall Proton launch this year. The EchoStar XIV satellite was also the 21st consecutive successful Proton launch in 20 months and the first commercial flight of the enhanced Phase III Proton.
The ILS Proton Breeze M launched from Pad 39 at the Cosmodrome at 00:27 today local time (14:27 EDT, 18:27 GMT). After a nine-hour, 10-minute mission, the Breeze M successfully released the EchoStar XIV satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The satellite, weighing more than 6.3 metric tons, is the heaviest satellite launched on ILS Proton to date.
Built by Space Systems/Loral on the reliable, flight-proven 1300 platform, EchoStar XIV will join DISH Network’s fleet of satellites at 119 degrees West longitude. EchoStar XIV will provide Ku-band services over the United States and strengthen DISH Network’s high definition lineup.
This was also the 355th launch for Proton since its inaugural flight in 1965, and the 58th ILS Proton launch overall. The Proton Breeze M launch vehicle was developed and built by Khrunichev Research and Production Space Center of Moscow, one of the pillars of the Russian space industry and the majority shareholder in ILS.
“ILS is proud to partner with DISH Network, an innovator that continues to lead the TV industry in HD programming and cutting-edge technology,” said Frank McKenna, president of ILS. “The successful launch of EchoStar XIV was a significant milestone for ILS Proton as the first commercial launch using the enhanced Phase III performance capabilities. ILS and Khrunichev are very proud to have completed a precise in-orbit delivery of EchoStar XIV to support DISH Network’s continued success.”
EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq:SATS – News), manages DISH Network’s space programs and will begin in-orbit testing of the satellite later this month.
“On behalf of our customer, DISH Network, we are pleased with the performance of the ILS Proton launch vehicle and look forward to testing of the satellite,” said Rohan Zaveri, vice president of Space Programs for EchoStar.
About ILS and Khrunichev
ILS is a world leader in providing mission and launch services for global commercial satellite operators and offers a complete array of services and support, from contract signing through mission management and on-orbit delivery. ILS has exclusive rights to market the Proton vehicle and is a U.S. company headquartered in Reston, Va., near Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.ilslaunch.com.
Khrunichev, which holds the majority interest in ILS, is one of the cornerstones of the Russian space industry. Khrunichev manufactures the Proton system and is developing the Angara launch system. The Proton launches from facilities at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and has a heritage of over 350 missions since 1965. Khrunichev includes among its branches, a number of key manufacturers of launch vehicle and spacecraft components in Moscow and in other cities of the Russian Federation. For more information, visit www.khrunichev.com.
About DISH Network
DISH Network L.L.C., a subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH – News), provides more than 14.1 million satellite TV customers, as of Dec. 31, 2009, with the highest quality programming and technology at the best value, including the lowest all-digital price nationwide. Customers have access to hundreds of video and audio channels, the most HD channels, the most international channels, state-of-the-art interactive TV applications, and award-winning HD and DVR technology including 1080p Video on Demand and the ViP(R) 722 HD DVR, a CNET and PC Magazine “Editors’ Choice.” DISH Network Corporation is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 250 company. Visit www.dishnetwork.com, follow on Twitter, @dishnetwork (www.twitter.com/dishnetwork), or become a Fan on Facebook, www.facebook.com/dishnetwork.
About EchoStar Satellite Services
EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq:SATS – News) and provides solutions for distribution of video, audio and data domestically and internationally. EchoStar also offers IPTV solutions through its ViP-TV platform. EchoStar represents a significant source of Ku-band and Ka-band satellite capacity and spacecraft operation services with 10 satellites, ground-based teleport facilities, and an expansive terrestrial U.S. backhaul network along with 24-hour Satellite Access Centers. Visit www.echostar.com.
