Third Mission In A Row For DISH Network

Sea Launch Company tells ANN it successfully launched the EchoStar XI broadcast satellite Tuesday from its ocean-based platform on the Equator, marking its fourth successful mission of 2008 and its third mission for DISH Network.

A Zenit-3SL rocket lifted off at 2221 PDT on July 15 from the Odyssey Launch Platform, positioned at 154 degrees West Longitude. One hour later, the Block DM-SL upper stage inserted the 12,150 lb EchoStar XI satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final orbital position at 110 degrees West Longitude. Operators at the Gnangara ground station in Perth, Australia, acquired the spacecraft's first signals from orbit shortly after spacecraft separation. All systems performed nominally throughout the mission.

"Congratulations to DISH Network, and to Space Systems/Loral for tonight's outstanding success," said Kjell Karlsen, president and general manager of Sea Launch. "We're proud of our role in DISH Network's continued success. We thank you for your continued trust and confidence in our system and our team. I also want to thank the Sea Launch team, the Sea Launch partners, and all the suppliers and contractors around the world who support us."

Built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), the EchoStar XI spacecraft is designed for an orbital service life of 15 years, with 20kW of power to support the expansion of DISH Network's capacity and capabilities to customers throughout the United States.

"For the third mission in a row, Sea Launch has successfully launched a satellite for DISH Network, and we are thrilled to add our eleventh high-power satellite to our fleet," said Rohan Zaveri, vice president of Space Programs for DISH Network. "We look forward to beginning testing and ultimately enhancing our already extensive, high quality programming lineup."

Sea Launch offers what it bills as the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary orbit for commercial communications satellites. With the advantage of a launch site on the Equator, its Zenit-3SL rocket can lift a heavier mass or provide longer life on orbit, offering best value plus optimized spacecraft orbital delivery. Sea Launch also offers launch services for medium weight satellites, Land Launch, which initiates missions from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan.

FMI: www.sea-launch.com/