Echostar 3

Also called DBSC 1, S2741

---

General

Designation	25004 / 97059A
Launch date	4 Oct 1997
Country of origin	United States
Mission	Telecommunications
Geostationary orbit	61.5°W
Launch vehicle	Atlas 2AS #110

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.

Went inclined in Oct 2014.

In Jul 2017, the satellite moved to 86.8°W but right afterwards an anomaly occured and satellite contact was lost.

---

End of life

Out of service	Jul 2017
Cause	contact lost, then regained and sent to Junk orbit

---

External resources

sat-index articles

Technical data

---

Lyngsat transponder loading


EIRP coverage (dBW)

---

Specifications

Prime contractor	LM Astro Space
Platform	A2100AX
Mass at launch	3675 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

1 receive and 2 transmit antennas.
TT&C: 12.201, 12.203 & 12.699 GHz ; 17.3015 GHz uplink

---

Ku-band

Main transponders	32
Backup transponders	12
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

Ku-band DBS US frequency chart

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. In early 2002 the number of failed transponders raised to 12.

As of Jun 2003, 14 transponders have failed.

---