RiseStar
August 10th, 2008, 10:46 AM
Dish Network currently has (9) satellites in geo-stationary orbit, 22 300 miles above the Earth. There are also a total of 11 orbital slots that Echostar is authorized to use and some additional slots that are pending autorization.
119° W. L. (Echostar 7)
The 119° orbital slot is Dish Network's CORE DBS location and used to deliver its core programming content including "America's Top 50", "America's Top 100" as well as digital audio channels, some locals and distant networks. It is also used to deliver a portion of the "America's Top 200" and "America's Top 250".
The 119° slot is a full-CONUS location, meaning that it is receivable throughout the entire continental USA using the standard 18" dish. The 119 degree orbital slot was the first to be awarded to Echostar in 1992 after it was licensed by the FCC in 1987. The original satellite parked in this location was Echostar 1, which was launched on December 28, 1995 and began broadcasting on March 4, 1996. In December of 2000,the newly launched Echostar 7 satellite was moved into the primary 119 degree orbital location and Echostar 1 was relocated to the half CONUS 148° location. The Echostar 7 relocation allowed Dish Network to begin servicing Alaska and Hawaii as well as Puerto Rico for the first time via spot beam technology.
110° W.L. (Echostar 8, Echostar 10)
The use of the 110° orbital slot was originally owned by MCI Corp., which planned to launch a competing DBS service in 1997. News Corp. and MCI merged in 1996 to form the failed American SKY Broadcasting. In 1998, News Corp. attempted a merger with Echostar, which U.S. legislators would ultimately doom. Part of the merger included the coveted 110° slot, which was the last full-CONUS DBS slot available to the U.S and would become Dish Networks second core slot. The Echostar 5 satellite launched in 1999 was later joined by Echostar 8, launched in 2002 and moved into the 110° position, allowing Dish Network to expand their program offerings significantly. The new Echostar 10 satellite later replaced the Echostar 5 satellite at this orbital slot. Using a "DISH500" system, which allows reception from multiple satellite locations from one dish, subscribers receiver the "America's Top 150" programming in addition to extra premium channels, locals and High Definition programming. Additionally, the 110° satellites are used to deliver portions of the "America's Top 200" and "America's Top 250" packages.
61.5° W.L. (Echostar 3, Echostar 12)
The 61.5 degree orbital location is considered a half-CONUS slot, serving primarily the Eastern USA.
Echostar 3 and Echostar 12 satellites are currently located at this slot. The 61.5 degree slot was not designed for reception in Western U.S. states, due to its low orbital location, although in some situations it is possible if there are no obstructions to the line of sight. Reception of the 61.5 degree location requires a secondary dish and carries international language programming, some HDTV content in addition to some locals for Eastern markets and SKY ANGEL programming.
Most of the programming on the 61.5° location is also mirrored on the 148° location for reception in the Western USA.
148° W.L. (Echostar 1)
The 148 degree orbital location is considered a half-CONUS slot, serving primarily the Western USA. The original Echostar 1 and Echostar 2 satellites were located at this slot. The Echostar 2 satellite suffered a total loss of capacity on July 15, 2008 and was retired, leaving only the Echostar 1 satellite at this location. The 148 degree slot was not designed for reception in Western U.S. states, due to its low orbital location, although in some situations it is possible if there are no obstructions to the line of sight. Reception of the 148 degree location requires a secondary dish and carries international language programming, some HDTV content in addition to some locals for Western markets. Most of the programming on the 148° location is also mirrored at the 61.5° location for reception in the Eastern USA.
121° W.L. (Echostar 9)
The latest Echostar 9 satellite to be launched on August 7, 2003 was placed in the new 121° location, which is designated a Ku FSS/Ka band location. Unlike previous satellites, which all used the Ku DBS band, which allowed reception on the small 18" and 20" DISH500 dishes, the Echostar 9 uses the Ku FSS band(Fixed Satellite Services) which requires a new hybrid 36" X 20" oval SUPERDISH. The FSS frequency uses a linear type LNBF, similiar to the old primestar service and the SUPERDISH incorporates both the linear and circular (DBS) LNBF's into one dish. Please note, the other FSS slot used by Echostar at
105 degrees requires a different SUPERDISH configuration, therefore you need to purchase the right SUPERDISH depending on which location you will be receiving. the 110°/119°/121° SUPERDISH is designed for residents of the Western USA, while the 105°/110°/119° SUPERDISH is designed for residents of the Eastern USA. Echostar 9 currently broadcasts a few foreign language channels as well as come business channels.
105° W.L. (AMC-2)
Echostar leases the AMC-2 Ku FSS satellite located at the 105° orbital slot from SES Americom. Unlike previous satellites, which all used the Ku DBS band, which allowed reception on the small 18" and 20" DISH500 dishes, the AMC-2 uses the Ku FSS band(Fixed Satellite Services) which requires a new hybrid 36" X 20" oval SUPERDISH. The FSS frequency uses a linear type LNBF, similiar to the old primestar service and the SUPERDISH incorporates both the linear and circular (DBS) LNBF's into one dish. Please note, the other FSS slot used by Echostar at 121 degrees requires a different SUPERDISH configuration, therefore you need to purchase the right SUPERDISH depending on which location you will be receiving. the 110°/119°/121° SUPERDISH is designed for residents of the Western USA, while the 105°/110°/119° SUPERDISH is designed for residents of the Eastern USA. AMC-2 broadcasts Eastern locals. Original plans for HDTV programming were dropped due to AMC-2's non-full-CONUS footprint, which made reception difficult in parts of the Western USA using the SUPERDISH. As of Mid 2008, Echostar has dis-continued subscriber programming from this satellite.
77° W.L. (Echostar 4)
Use of this orbital slot was obtained with an international treaty with Mexico and it is likely that this slot will eventually be used to broadcast programming into Mexico. The FCC is also currently reviewing an application to also use it in the USA. Echostar 4 is currently located at this slot and is broadcasting test channels only.
85° W.L.
Reserved for future use.
97° W.L (Pending).
Echostar has filed an application with the FCC for satellite construction and launch and use of this slot in the FSS Ka band. If approved, it will use spot beam technology to deliver HDTV and local programming to the continental USA.
113° W.L. (Pending)
Echostar won control of the 113 degree slot from Visionstar in 2001. Echostar had applied for satellite construction and use of the slot in the FSS Ka band, which was initially denied due to Echostar's inability to show the FCC that its plan would not interfere with adjacent orbital locations. Echostar has re-applied and still hopes to launch future HDTV , international programming, satellite broadband services and locals utilizing this slot.
118.7° W.L. (Anik-F3)
An international treaty with Canada has allowed Echostar to use a portion of the Canadian Anik-F3 satellite's FSS frequencies. This is currently being used to broadcast foreign language and some select local programming from the Eastern USA. A Dish500+ / Dish1000+ hybrid setup is required for reception of programming from this orbital slot.
125° W.L.
EchoStar has filed an FCC application for authority to construct, launch and operate a satellite in the fixed-satellite service (FSS) using Ka-Band frequencies. The company proposed to offer DTH services, two-way broadband, interactive capabilities and HD content.
129° W.L. (Echostar 5)
Echostar 5 is currently located at this slot, delivering some high definition, sports and also some local programming.
157° W.L. (Dormant)
The Echostar 4 satellite, which was launched in 1998 suffered a number of catastrophic problems, including a south solar panel deployment failure which had crippled its power output and limited it to use of only 6 of its 44 transponders. Echostar 4 was re-located to the 157 degree slot and it currently dormant and serving as an in-orbit spare in the event of damage or loss of any other Echostar satellites.
119° W. L. (Echostar 7)
The 119° orbital slot is Dish Network's CORE DBS location and used to deliver its core programming content including "America's Top 50", "America's Top 100" as well as digital audio channels, some locals and distant networks. It is also used to deliver a portion of the "America's Top 200" and "America's Top 250".
The 119° slot is a full-CONUS location, meaning that it is receivable throughout the entire continental USA using the standard 18" dish. The 119 degree orbital slot was the first to be awarded to Echostar in 1992 after it was licensed by the FCC in 1987. The original satellite parked in this location was Echostar 1, which was launched on December 28, 1995 and began broadcasting on March 4, 1996. In December of 2000,the newly launched Echostar 7 satellite was moved into the primary 119 degree orbital location and Echostar 1 was relocated to the half CONUS 148° location. The Echostar 7 relocation allowed Dish Network to begin servicing Alaska and Hawaii as well as Puerto Rico for the first time via spot beam technology.
110° W.L. (Echostar 8, Echostar 10)
The use of the 110° orbital slot was originally owned by MCI Corp., which planned to launch a competing DBS service in 1997. News Corp. and MCI merged in 1996 to form the failed American SKY Broadcasting. In 1998, News Corp. attempted a merger with Echostar, which U.S. legislators would ultimately doom. Part of the merger included the coveted 110° slot, which was the last full-CONUS DBS slot available to the U.S and would become Dish Networks second core slot. The Echostar 5 satellite launched in 1999 was later joined by Echostar 8, launched in 2002 and moved into the 110° position, allowing Dish Network to expand their program offerings significantly. The new Echostar 10 satellite later replaced the Echostar 5 satellite at this orbital slot. Using a "DISH500" system, which allows reception from multiple satellite locations from one dish, subscribers receiver the "America's Top 150" programming in addition to extra premium channels, locals and High Definition programming. Additionally, the 110° satellites are used to deliver portions of the "America's Top 200" and "America's Top 250" packages.
61.5° W.L. (Echostar 3, Echostar 12)
The 61.5 degree orbital location is considered a half-CONUS slot, serving primarily the Eastern USA.
Echostar 3 and Echostar 12 satellites are currently located at this slot. The 61.5 degree slot was not designed for reception in Western U.S. states, due to its low orbital location, although in some situations it is possible if there are no obstructions to the line of sight. Reception of the 61.5 degree location requires a secondary dish and carries international language programming, some HDTV content in addition to some locals for Eastern markets and SKY ANGEL programming.
Most of the programming on the 61.5° location is also mirrored on the 148° location for reception in the Western USA.
148° W.L. (Echostar 1)
The 148 degree orbital location is considered a half-CONUS slot, serving primarily the Western USA. The original Echostar 1 and Echostar 2 satellites were located at this slot. The Echostar 2 satellite suffered a total loss of capacity on July 15, 2008 and was retired, leaving only the Echostar 1 satellite at this location. The 148 degree slot was not designed for reception in Western U.S. states, due to its low orbital location, although in some situations it is possible if there are no obstructions to the line of sight. Reception of the 148 degree location requires a secondary dish and carries international language programming, some HDTV content in addition to some locals for Western markets. Most of the programming on the 148° location is also mirrored at the 61.5° location for reception in the Eastern USA.
121° W.L. (Echostar 9)
The latest Echostar 9 satellite to be launched on August 7, 2003 was placed in the new 121° location, which is designated a Ku FSS/Ka band location. Unlike previous satellites, which all used the Ku DBS band, which allowed reception on the small 18" and 20" DISH500 dishes, the Echostar 9 uses the Ku FSS band(Fixed Satellite Services) which requires a new hybrid 36" X 20" oval SUPERDISH. The FSS frequency uses a linear type LNBF, similiar to the old primestar service and the SUPERDISH incorporates both the linear and circular (DBS) LNBF's into one dish. Please note, the other FSS slot used by Echostar at
105 degrees requires a different SUPERDISH configuration, therefore you need to purchase the right SUPERDISH depending on which location you will be receiving. the 110°/119°/121° SUPERDISH is designed for residents of the Western USA, while the 105°/110°/119° SUPERDISH is designed for residents of the Eastern USA. Echostar 9 currently broadcasts a few foreign language channels as well as come business channels.
105° W.L. (AMC-2)
Echostar leases the AMC-2 Ku FSS satellite located at the 105° orbital slot from SES Americom. Unlike previous satellites, which all used the Ku DBS band, which allowed reception on the small 18" and 20" DISH500 dishes, the AMC-2 uses the Ku FSS band(Fixed Satellite Services) which requires a new hybrid 36" X 20" oval SUPERDISH. The FSS frequency uses a linear type LNBF, similiar to the old primestar service and the SUPERDISH incorporates both the linear and circular (DBS) LNBF's into one dish. Please note, the other FSS slot used by Echostar at 121 degrees requires a different SUPERDISH configuration, therefore you need to purchase the right SUPERDISH depending on which location you will be receiving. the 110°/119°/121° SUPERDISH is designed for residents of the Western USA, while the 105°/110°/119° SUPERDISH is designed for residents of the Eastern USA. AMC-2 broadcasts Eastern locals. Original plans for HDTV programming were dropped due to AMC-2's non-full-CONUS footprint, which made reception difficult in parts of the Western USA using the SUPERDISH. As of Mid 2008, Echostar has dis-continued subscriber programming from this satellite.
77° W.L. (Echostar 4)
Use of this orbital slot was obtained with an international treaty with Mexico and it is likely that this slot will eventually be used to broadcast programming into Mexico. The FCC is also currently reviewing an application to also use it in the USA. Echostar 4 is currently located at this slot and is broadcasting test channels only.
85° W.L.
Reserved for future use.
97° W.L (Pending).
Echostar has filed an application with the FCC for satellite construction and launch and use of this slot in the FSS Ka band. If approved, it will use spot beam technology to deliver HDTV and local programming to the continental USA.
113° W.L. (Pending)
Echostar won control of the 113 degree slot from Visionstar in 2001. Echostar had applied for satellite construction and use of the slot in the FSS Ka band, which was initially denied due to Echostar's inability to show the FCC that its plan would not interfere with adjacent orbital locations. Echostar has re-applied and still hopes to launch future HDTV , international programming, satellite broadband services and locals utilizing this slot.
118.7° W.L. (Anik-F3)
An international treaty with Canada has allowed Echostar to use a portion of the Canadian Anik-F3 satellite's FSS frequencies. This is currently being used to broadcast foreign language and some select local programming from the Eastern USA. A Dish500+ / Dish1000+ hybrid setup is required for reception of programming from this orbital slot.
125° W.L.
EchoStar has filed an FCC application for authority to construct, launch and operate a satellite in the fixed-satellite service (FSS) using Ka-Band frequencies. The company proposed to offer DTH services, two-way broadband, interactive capabilities and HD content.
129° W.L. (Echostar 5)
Echostar 5 is currently located at this slot, delivering some high definition, sports and also some local programming.
157° W.L. (Dormant)
The Echostar 4 satellite, which was launched in 1998 suffered a number of catastrophic problems, including a south solar panel deployment failure which had crippled its power output and limited it to use of only 6 of its 44 transponders. Echostar 4 was re-located to the 157 degree slot and it currently dormant and serving as an in-orbit spare in the event of damage or loss of any other Echostar satellites.