March 14, 2010 (updated March 17, 2010)
Payload:
EchoStar XIV communications satellite
SS/L 1300
Separated spacecraft mass: 6,384 kg (14,034 lbs)
Launch Vehicle:
Proton M/Breeze M
705,000 kg (1,554,000 lbs), including payload
58.2 m (191 ft)
Launch Date:
March 21, 2010
Launch Time:
00:27 Baikonur
18:27 GMT, March 20
14:27 EDT, March 20
Launch Site:
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch Pad 39
Launch Customer:
DISH Network, Englewood, Colo.
Satellite Manufacturer:
Space Systems/Loral, Palo Alto, Ca
Launch Vehicle Manufacturer:
Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center,Moscow
Launch Services Provider:
International Launch Services, Reston, Va.
Satellite Use:
The EchoStar XIV satellite will join DISH Network’s fleet of satellites that serve more than 14 million satellite TV customers in the U.S. From its location at 119 degrees west longitude, EchoStar XIV will provide Ku-band services over the continental United States. The DISH Network fleet has the capacity to deliver hundreds of the highest quality video and audio channels, including the most HD in the country. DISH Network’s programming coupled with award-winning HD and DVR technology, makes it the best value in the TV industry.
Satellite Statistics:
103 Ku-Band transponders
Satellite will provide both conus and spot beam capability
Orbital location: 119 west longitude
Anticipated service life: 15 years
Mission Profile:
The Proton M launch vehicle, utilizing a 5-burn Breeze M mission design, will lift off from Pad 39 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, with the EchoStar XIV satellite on board. The first three stages of the Proton will use a standard ascent profile to place the orbital unit (Breeze M upper stage and the EchoStar XIV satellite) into a sub-orbital trajectory. From this point in the mission, the Breeze M will perform planned mission maneuvers to advance the orbital unit first to a circular parking orbit, then to an intermediate orbit, followed by a transfer orbit, and finally to a geosynchronous transfer orbit. Separation of the EchoStar XIV satellite is scheduled to occur approximately 9 hours, 10 minutes after liftoff.
Target Orbit at Separation:
Apogee: 35,786 km (22,236 miles)
Perigee: 3,120 km (1,939 miles)
Inclination: 26.7 degrees
Spacecraft Separation:
Approximately 9 hours, 10 minutes after liftoff
ILS Mission Statistics:
58th ILS Proton Launch
2nd ILS Proton Launch in 2010
3rd EchoStar Satellite Launched on ILS Proton
14th Space Systems/Loral Satellite Launched on a Proton
Heaviest commercial satellite launched on ILS Proton
First ILS Proton to utilize the Phase III capabilities
ILS Proton EchoStar XIV Live Launch Broadcast:
All satellite test signals will begin at 1330 Eastern US/1730 GMT 20 MARCH 2010
Live Coverage starting at 1400 Eastern US/1800 GMT 20 MARCH 2010
Launch is scheduled for 14:26:57 Eastern US/ 18:26:57 GMT 20 MARCH 2010
Launch Broadcast concludes 15:00:00 Eastern US/1900 GMT 20 MARCH 2010
LAUNCH BROADCAST WILL BE SEEN IN NORTH AMERICA ON THE FOLLOWING:
Satellite: AMC-15, K01
Slot D
Orbital Location: 105 Degrees West
KU-band: digital
Bandwidth 9 Mhz
Uplink Frequency: 14033.5 Horizontal
Downlink Frequency: 11733.5 Vertical
Symbol rate: 6.1113
FEC: 3/4
Aspect ratio: SD 4.3
No encryption
LAUNCH BROADCAST WILL BE SEEN IN EUROPE ON THE FOLLOWING:
Satellite: NSS7
Transponder: ENV8/EUH8 – AB
Orbital Location: 338 E, 22W
KU-band: NTSC 525
Bandwidth: 9 MHz
Uplink frequency: 14474.5 Vertical
Downlink frequency: 11684.5 Horizontal
Symbol Rate: 5.632
FEC: 3/4
Aspect Ratio: SD 4.3
4:2:0 MPEG 2
No encryption
LAUNCH BROADCAST WILL BE SEEN IN EUROPE and at the LAUNCH SITE ON THE FOLLOWING:
Satellite: W2A
Channel: TXP F5, channel F
Orbital Position: 10 E
KU-band: 625 PAL
Bandwidth 9 MHz
UPLINK Frequency: 14221.83 Vertical
Downlink Frequency: 12721.83 H
Sym Rate: 5.632
FEC: 3/4
Aspect Ratio: 4.3
4:2:0 MPEG 2
No encryption
More Information:
Live webcast will begin approximately 20 minutes before liftoff. DISH Network customers can tune to Channel 101 to watch the live broadcast. General mission information and launch status updates are available on the Web site or on the ILS U.S. domestic Launch Hotline at 1-800-852-4980.