Echostar 2

USA

Launch data:

Designation 24313 / 96055A
Launch date 11 Sep 1996
Launch site Ko, ELA-2
Launch vehicle  Ariane-42P (V91)
Mission Telecommunications
Geostationary orbit:
Location118.8°W

Launch opportunities had been reserved with Long March and Proton but finally after the numerous launch problems, Echostar choose Ariane for launch.

The total satellite, launch and insurance are estimated at $225 million The satellite entered service on 1st Nov 1996.

The channels used by this satellite were originally licensed to Directsat Corp. This entity was transfered from SSE Telecom to Echostar in Nov 1994. Directsat was licensed to provide 11 channels of eastern half-CONUS or full-CONUS DBS service on even-numbered channels 2-20, at orbital position 119° West and on channel 24 at orbital position 110°West, and 11 channels of western half-CONUS service on odd-numbered channels 1-21 at orbital position 175°West.

Specifications

Prime contractor LM Astro Space
Platform GE-7000
Mass at launch 2800 kg
Mass in orbit  
Dimension  
Solar array  
Stabilization 3-axis
DC power  
Design lifetime 10 years

Ku-band

Main transponders 16
Backup transponders  
Power 130 W
Bandwidth 24 MHz
Coverage & EIRP max CONUS only: 53 dBW
(US Virgin Island: 1.8 m dish)
Polarization LHCP
Frequencies uplink: 17.3-17.8 GHz
downlink: 12.2-12.7 GHz

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