* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: EchoStar-11 satellite

Blobrana · L

Zenit 3SL launched with ECHOSTAR-11 from ocean platform

Blobrana · L

Space Systems/Loral, and the world's leading provider of high-power commercial satellites, today announced that the EchoStar XI satellite, built for DISH Network, deployed its solar arrays early this morning, following its successful launch last night from Sea Launch's Odyssey Launch Platform on the equator in the Pacific Ocean.

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Blobrana · L

Sea Launch Company has successfully launched the EchoStar XI broadcast satellite 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 10:21pm PDT on July 15 (5:21 GMT, July 16) from the Odyssey Launch Platform, positioned at 154 degrees West Longitude. One hour later, the Block DM-SL upper stage inserted the 5,511 kg (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 spacecrafts first signals from orbit shortly after spacecraft separation. All systems performed nominally throughout the mission.

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Blobrana · L

Echostar 11 will be positioned at the 110°W orbital location after testing, and will replace EchoStar 8.

Blobrana · L

A Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket carrying the EchoStar-11 satellite was successfully launched from the Odyssey launch platform stationed in the Pacific Ocean at 05:21 GMT today.
The 12,150-pound EchoStar 11 was deployed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit about one hour after launch. reply.

-- Edited by Blobrana at 10:05, 2008-07-16

Blobrana · L

The Sea Launch team arrived at the launch site in the Equatorial Pacific over the weekend and initiated a 72-hour countdown, in preparation for the launch of the EchoStar XI satellite on Tuesday, July 15. Liftoff is planned at 10:21pm PDT, July 15 (5:21 GMT, July 16), at the opening of a two-hour launch window.
Upon arrival at the launch site, at 154 degrees West Longitude, the team ballasted the Odyssey Launch Platform to launch depth. A final series of tests on all systems is now underway. Prior to fuelling operations, the platform will be evacuated, with all personnel safely positioned on the ship, about four miles from the platform. One hour after liftoff, a Zenit-3SL vehicle will insert the 5,511 kg (12,150 lb) EchoStar XI satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final orbital location of 110 degrees West Longitude.

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