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Sea Launch Signs Launch Contract for New EchoStar Spacecraft |
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LONG BEACH, Calif., May 9, 2006/Satnews Daily/ — Sea Launch Company has signed a firm contract with EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH) for the launch of the EchoStar XI Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) in 2007.
This will be Sea Launch's third mission with an EchoStar spacecraft, having launched EchoStar IX in August 2003 and EchoStar X in February 2006.
The new contract, signed in November 2005, requires Sea Launch to lift the EchoStar XI spacecraft to geosynchronous transfer orbit. Under construction by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), the spacecraft is based on SS/L's 1300-series platform and will support EchoStar's DISH Network customers.
EchoStar XI is a DBS spacecraft designed to complement the existing EchoStar fleet. Its Ku-band payload will provide uninterrupted service and additional capacity and capabilities for EchoStar's DISH Network customers.
The 1300 bus -- an industry leader in power, performance and reliability -- is a space-proven platform for a wide range of satellite services, providing total satellite power capability of 20 kW throughout the life of the satellite.
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