Mission type | Communication |
---|---|
Operator | EchoStar |
COSPAR ID | 2006-003A |
SATCAT no. | 28935 |
Mission duration | 16 years (planned) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Bus | A2100AXS |
Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
Launch mass | 4,333 kilograms (9,553 lb) |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 15 February 2006, 23:34:55 | UTC
Rocket | Zenit-3SL |
Launch site | Ocean Odyssey |
Contractor | Sea Launch |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime | Geostationary |
Longitude | 110° West |
Perigee altitude | 35,780 kilometers (22,230 mi) |
Apogee altitude | 35,792 kilometers (22,240 mi) |
Inclination | 0 degrees |
Period | 24 hours |
Transponders | |
Band | 42 J band |
EchoStar X,[1] also known as EchoStar 10, is an American geostationary communications satellite which is operated by EchoStar on behalf of Dish Network. It is positioned in Geostationary orbit at a longitude of 110° West, from where it is used to provide direct broadcasting services to the United States.
EchoStar X was built by Lockheed Martin, and is based on the A2100AXS satellite bus. It is equipped with 42 J band (IEEE Ku band) transponders, and at launch it had a mass of 4,333 kilograms (9,553 lb), with an expected operational lifespan of 16 years[2][3]
The satellite was launched using a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL carrier rocket flying from the Ocean Odyssey launch platform. The launch occurred at 23:34:55 GMT on 15 February 2006,[4] leaving Echostar X in a geosynchronous transfer orbit. Its orbit was then raised using an onboard LEROS-1C apogee motor, with insertion into geostationary orbit occurring at 20:50 GMT on 22 February.[5]