Echostar 8

S2439

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General

Designation	27501 / 02039A
Launch date	22 Aug 2002
Country of origin	United States
Mission	Telecommunications
Geostationary orbit	see below
Launch vehicle	Proton #296

High power DBS satellite with spot beam technology for local channels (15 spots max). The satellite is not insured for launch, only for in-orbit operations (for assets of $125 million).

Tested at 129°W, started service in Oct 2002 at 110°W. Replaced by Echostar 11 in late Aug 2008.

Two of the 12 stationkeeping thrusters died in Sep and Oct 2002. A workaround is used to maintain the orbit and more fuel is being consumed.

The satellite control operations was transfered to QuetzSat, S de R.L. de C.V. in April 2009. The FCC approved the transfer as of 22 Sep 2010.

Experienced an upset event on 30 Jan 2011 which caused the satellite to drift to 77.7°W.

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Location

Begin	End	Position
L: 22 Aug 2002	Sep 2002	129°W
Oct 2002	Sep 2008	110°W
Oct 2008	Apr 2016	77°W
Apr 2016	Apr 2017	77°W, inclined

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End of life

Out of service	Apr 2017
Cause	sent to junk orbit

sat-index articles

Technical data

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Lyngsat transponder loading

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Specifications

Prime contractor	SS/L
Platform	FS-1300
Mass at launch	4660 kg
Mass in orbit
Dimension
Solar array
Stabilization	3-axis
DC power
Design lifetime	15 years

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Ku-band

Main transponders	32
Backup transponders
Power	120 W TWTA
Bandwidth
Coverage	CONUS + 2 spot beam payloads
EIRP max
G/T max
Polarization

Switchable to 16 transponders with 240 W power

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