EchostarXi
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DISH Network's EchoStar XI successfully reaches orbit
It's official: the AMC-14 debacle can be pushed aside from the rear of your mind, as DISH Network's most recent launch went off without a hitch. Sea Launch has announced this morning that EchoStar XI, which lifted off late last night, has successfully reached orbit. Shortly after cruising was complete, operators at the Gnangara ground station in Perth, Australia "acquired the spacecraft's first signals from orbit." It's noted that "all systems performed nominally throughout the mission," and it looks as if we should have 15 years of uninterrupted service from this one just as soon as it goes into action... which will hopefully happen sooner rather than later.[Via Reuters]
Countdown to EchoStar XI liftoff begins, live webcast starting soon
Just a friendly reminder for you folks with nothing better to do on a Tuesday evening than watch a satellite get airborne: DISH Network's EchoStar XI lifts off tonight at around 10:21PM PT (that's 1:21AM ET on July 16 for those on the east coast), and as usual, the whole thing will be broadcast live on the web. Hopefully we won't have bad news to report on in the morning, but considering the fate of the AMC-14, we aren't crossing that possibility out entirely.[Via Spaceflight Now, thanks VANBROTHERS]
DISH to roll out 17 new HD channels on August 1st
During a retailer chat today, DISH announced the addition of 17 new HD channels for August. But from the looks of the pictured slide, aside from three of the new channels it appears that this is mostly an HD movie channel update. The other thing we noticed was that most of these channels are not currently available on DirecTV and by at least one person's count (Scott G), this puts DISH Network as the first provider to offer 100 HD channels -- if you include regional sports networks. Of course this might change soon enough though, as DirecTV expects to have its new bird, DirecTV 11, operational in September while Dish Network's Echostar XI is expected to lift off in less than a week. Oh, what a beautiful time to be alive.
DISH Network's EchoStar XI lifts off on July 15th
For those of you who dedicate a few waking moments to tracking satellite launches (oh yes, we know you're out there), here's another one for your push-pin chart. DISH Network's EchoStar XI, which we already knew would be leaving this stratosphere in the summer, will be lifting off on July 15th. If everything goes to plan, rockets will fire just prior to 10:21PM PDT, with a two-hour window for launch. Should it make it to space (we haven't forgotten about the AMC-14 just yet), a 72-hour countdown will ensue, during which a series of tests will (hopefully) be completed. The bird has been designed to live in orbit for some 15 years and provide DISH Network subscribers with more (HD) content, though we aren't sure just yet how long it'll be before it's really put to good use. Got those fingers crossed? Good.
DISH Network's EchoStar XI heads to Sea Launch for summer liftoff
While we patiently wait for EchoStar XV to lift off in 2010, it seems the countdown for EchoStar XI is much, much closer. Space Systems/Loral has just announced delivery of said satellite to Sea Launch's home port in Long Beach, California. The 20-kW bird will be used to "expand capacity for DISH Network," and while a definitive launch date isn't mentioned, we are told that it should blast off sometime this summer. According to Rohan Zaveri, Vice President of Space Programs for DISH Network, there is "a good deal of anticipation as it gears up for the EchoStar XI launch," and considering the fate of the AMC-14, we'd surmise a good deal of nail-biting, too.[Image courtesy of Sea Launch]
