EchoStar



         


EchoStar Communication Corporation is the parent company of DISH Network and the maintainer of the satellite fleet that provides the signal which DISH Network markets.

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History

EchoStar was formed in 1980 by its chairman and CEO Charlie Ergen as a distributer of C-band TV systems. In 1987, EchoStar applied for Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) license with the Federal Communications Commission and was granted access to orbital slot 119° West longitude in 1992.

On December 28, 1995, EchoStar successfully launched its first satellite, EchoStar I. That same year, EchoStar established the DISH Network brand name to market its home satellite TV system.

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Satellite fleet

Satellite Orbital slot Launch date Satellite type
EchoStar I 148° West long. December 28, 1995 Lockheed Martin AS-7000
EchoStar II 148° West long. September 10, 1996 Lockheed Martin AS-7000
EchoStar III 61.5° West long. October 5, 1997 Lockheed Martin A2100AX
EchoStar IV 119° West long. May 8, 1998 Lockheed Martin A2100AX
EchoStar V 110° West long. September 23, 1999 Space Systems/Loral LS-1300
EchoStar VI 119° West long. July 14, 2000 Space Systems/Loral LS-1300
EchoStar VII 119° West long. Feb. 21, 2002 Lockheed Martin A2100AX
EchoStar VIII 110° West long. Aug. 21, 2002 Space Systems/Loral LS-1300
EchoStar IX 121° West long. August 7, 2003 Space Systems/Loral LS-1300
EchoStar X 110° West long. (est.) late 2005/early 2006 Lockheed Martin A2100AX
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