Echostar 3

USA

Also called DBSC 1

Launch data:

Designation	25004 / 97059A
Launch date	05 Oct 1997
Launch site	CC, LC-36B
Launch vehicle	Atlas-2AS (AC-135 #110)
Mission	Commercial: Communications
Geostationary orbit on:
Perigee / Apogee	35783 x 35790 km
Eccentricity	8.30E-05
Inclination	0.02 deg
Period	1436.11 min
Location	61.5°W

This satellite was originaly ordered by DBSC (Direct Broadcast Satellite Corporation) which merged with a subsidiary of Echostar in late 1995. The merger was approved by the FCC in August 1996.

Echostar is only authorized to operate 11 transponders from 61.5°W but was granted in Mar 1998 a special authorization to use the full frequency space at that location.

In May 1999, Dominion Video Satellite, Inc. leased 8 transponders from this satellite and Echostar subleased 6 transponders back to propose additional channels.

Specifications

Prime contractor	Lockeed Martin Missiles and Space
Platform	A2100AX
Operator	Echostar Technologies, LLC
Mass at launch	3674 kg
Mass in orbit	1700 kg
Dry mass	1325 kg
Dimension
Solar array	25 m span
Stabilization	3-axis
DC power	BOL: 10000 W
Design lifetime	13.5 years - in orbit

1 receive and 2 transmit antennas.

Location:

Date	Position	Remarks
Oct 2009	61.46°W

Ku-band

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

Central/Mountain region to Eastern U.S.; 32 Ku-band transponders
Was to operate in double power mode (16 transponders at 240 W) but this feature is not usable because of overheating problems.

In Oct 1998 Echostar announced they had lost 4 TWTAs on this satellite, it is expected that more transponders could fail. There is a risk that such failures are not covered by insurance.

Ref.: #15, #226 - update: 22.01.10

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