The EchoStar IX/Telstar 13 satellite was successfully launched from a platform in the equatorial Pacific by Sea Launch. The satellite has Ku-band capacity that will be used to enhance EchoStar’s U.S. DISH Network, which is served by eight other satellites in orbit. The new satellite is also equipped with the first commercial Ka-band spot-beam directed at the U.S. EchoStar’ plans to introduce future broadband initiatives use the Ka-band capabilities. EchoStar will operate the Ku- and Ka-band payloads as EchoStar IX; Loral Skynet, a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications, will initially own and operate the C-band payload as Telstar 13. In July, Loral reached a definitive agreement to sell Telstar 13, along with five other North American telecommunications satellites to Intelsat. The EchoStar IX/Telstar 13 satellite was built by Space Systems/Loral in Palo Alto, California.
http://www.echostar.com
- On 15-July-2003, Loral Space & Communications and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary Chapter 11 petitions. In a related transaction, Loral agreed to sell six satellites and the rights to their orbital locations to Intelsat for up to $1 billion. Loral intends to reorganize around its remaining fleet of five satellites and its satellite manufacturing operations Loral will also continue to own and operate Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), which builds satellites and satellite systems for commercial and government customers. Intelsat said the proposed acquisition of the Loral assets would complement the Intelsat global network, which includes capacity on 26 satellites. The Loral satellites would add complete coverage of the important North American market and increase Intelsat’s customer base in the cable television and broadcasting segments. Of the six satellites to be purchased, four are operational, serving cable television, broadcast and private data network customers in North America. Two satellites are currently under construction and are scheduled to be launched into North American orbital locations in the coming year.