Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) today announced that a satellite it delivered to DISH Network L.L.C. is performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan. The satellite successfully deployed its solar arrays late Saturday night and early Sunday morning following a Saturday launch. Early today, it fired its main thruster in order to start maneuvering into geosynchronous orbit.
“EchoStar XIV is a very powerful and complex satellite,” said John Celli, president of Space Systems/Loral. “Many people around the world depend on the reliability of Space Systems/Loral satellites every day, but our success is always a team effort. I’d like to thank the ILS/Proton, DISH Network and EchoStar teams, along with our many suppliers who worked diligently alongside us, to build and launch this exceptional spacecraft.”
EchoStar XIV was launched from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan aboard an ILS Proton Breeze M launch vehicle provided by International Launch Services. When it reaches its final destination at 119 degrees West longitude, the satellite will become a part of the DISH Network fleet, providing direct broadcast services over the continental United States. It will be used to provide expanded high definition (HD) services and added flexibility for DISH Network’s more than 14 million direct-to-home (DTH) television subscribers.
EchoStar XIV is based on the Space Systems/Loral 1300 space-proven platform, which provides the power and flexibility to support a broad range of applications. 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. With this launch, Space Systems/Loral now has 61 geostationary satellites currently on orbit.
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.
About Space Systems/Loral
Space Systems/Loral, a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications (Nasdaq:LORL – News), has a long history of delivering reliable satellites and spacecraft systems for commercial and government customers around the world. As the world’s leading provider of commercial satellites, the company works closely with satellite operators to provide spacecraft for a broad range of services including television and radio distribution, digital audio radio, broadband Internet, and mobile communications. Hundreds of millions of people depend on SS/L satellites every day. For more information, visit www.ssloral.com.
