ILS Proton Successfully Launches EchoStar VIII Satellite 2 Missions in 7 Hours for ILS
BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan, Aug. 22, 2002 – A Russian-built Proton
rocket successfully delivered its EchoStar VIII satellite payload into orbit
today, marking the sixth mission this year for International Launch Services
(ILS).
The Proton K/Block DM rocket lifted off at 11:15 a.m. local time (1:15 a.m.
EDT, 5:15 GMT), and placed the EchoStar VIII direct-broadcast satellite into
geosynchronous transfer orbit 6 hours and 36 minutes later. This was the
third Proton mission of the year for ILS, and the fifth Proton flight
overall for 2002. Proton has had 100 percent success in all 24 of its
launches over the last 30 months, for both Russian government missions and
for commercial flights managed by ILS, based in McLean, Va.
This was also ILS’ second mission in seven hours. At 6:05 p.m. Aug. 21 EDT
(22:05 GMT), the first in the Atlas V series of rockets built by Lockheed
Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) successfully lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Fla.
ILS is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and two Russian companies,
Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and RSC Energia. ILS
markets and manages the missions for the Atlas and the Proton.
The successful launch of EchoStar VIII brings EchoStar Communication Corp.’s
fleet to eight satellites. From its 110 degrees West longitude orbital
position, EchoStar VIII’s spot-beam feature will allow a more efficient use
of spectrum, enabling EchoStar to expand its DISH Network local-into-local
satellite TV service and increase in-orbit backup capacity.
This was the second satellite launched this year by ILS for EchoStar, based
in Littleton, Colo. The EchoStar VII satellite was successfully launched
Feb. 21 on an Atlas III rocket.
“We appreciate the confidence that EchoStar has shown in ILS by choosing our
vehicles for two launches in a short time frame,” said ILS President Mark
Albrecht. “Proton’s reliability is legendary, and we’re proud to celebrate
another successful mission.” ILS vehicles have launched six of EchoStar’s
eight satellites.
EchoStar VIII is a 1300 model satellite built by Space Systems/Loral.
Albrecht noted that this is the third Loral-built satellite to be launched
on Proton this year.
The ILS joint venture was honored this summer with the 2002 Market
Engineering Strategic Alliance Leadership Award from consulting and training
firm Frost & Sullivan. ILS was cited for having led the market in number of
launches worldwide for the last three years.
ILS offers the broadest range of launch services in the world along with
products with the highest reliability in the industry. ILS’ Atlas rockets
and their Centaur upper stages are built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems
Company-Astronautics Operations at facilities in Denver; Harlingen, Texas;
and San Diego, Calif. The three-stage Proton and the Breeze M upper stage
are assembled by Khrunichev at its plant near Moscow. The alternative Block
DM upper stage is built by Energia, also near Moscow.
About EchoStar
EchoStar Communications Corp. and its DISH Network satellite TV system
provide over 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming,
as well as advanced satellite TV receiver hardware and installation
nationwide. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX). DISH Network
currently serves approximately 7.46 million customers. For more information,
contact 1-800/333-DISH (3474) or visit www.dishnetwork.com.
