Echostar 4

USA

Spacecraft n°:

US spacecraft n°:

Launch data:

Designation25331 / 98028A
Launch date07 May 1998
Launch site Baikonur, LC-81/23
Launch vehicle  Proton-K/DM3 (#258)
MissionCommercial: Communications
Geostationary orbit:
Perigee / Apogee 35768 x 35805 km
Eccentricity 4.39E-04
Inclination 0.76 deg
Period 1436.11 min

Specifications

Prime contractorSpace Systems/Loral
PlatformA2100AX
Operator Echostar Technologies, LLC
Mass at launch3478 kg
Dry mass2200 kg
Dimension 
Solar array 
Stabilization3-axis
DC power 10000 W
Design lifetime12 years

Has a Leros liquid apogee engine
Telemetry and command: 12.2005 GHz, 12.2025 GHz, 12.6985 GHz and 17.308 GHz, with a 300 kHz bandwidth

Location

DatePositionRemarks
L: 7 May 1998127°Wmexican DBS slot
end of tests148°W-
mid Jul 1999110°W-
Feb 2000119°W-
Oct 200977.04°W-

End of live:

End of Operation:  Sep 2011
Cause:  
Reentered date:  
Lifetime: 

The satellite should have replaced Echostar 1 at 119°W which would then have moved to 148°W (where only 24 transponders have been granted to Echostar) After launch, the satellite has experienced anomalies in connection with solar panel deployment (two of five panels on one solar array have not unfolded). Several transponders are not operational. As a result, Echostar 4 did not replace Echostar 1. In Jul 1999 furthen anomalies with the heating and fuel systems were reported. Only 16 transponders are reported still operational.

The satellite was insured for $220 million. The FCC licence for 148°W costed $52 million. Echostar has filled for constructive total loss of the satellite.

In Jun 1999 the FCC approved a move request to 110°W to allow Echostar to start broadcasting from there. Earlier the FCC granted to transfer of the 110°W licence of MCI to Echostar. Echostar is allowed to use channels 1 - 31 (odd) and 2 - 26 (even). When Echostar 5 is launched, this satellite will return to 148°W.

Ku-band

Main transponders 32
Backup transponders  
Power 120 W
Bandwidth 24 MHz
Coverage & EIRP max CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii: 53 dBW
Polarization circular
Frequencies uplink: 17.3-17.8 GHz
downlink: 12.2-12.7 GHz

Transponders can be dual-combined (16 x 240 W)

CONUS, Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico; 32 Ku-band transponders
Ref.: #15, #226 - update: 29.10.11 Home