| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | EchoStar |
| COSPAR ID | 2002-039A |
| SATCAT no. | 27501 |
| Mission duration | 12 years planned |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | LS-1300 |
| Manufacturer | SSL |
| Launch mass | 4,660 kg (10,270 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | August 22, 2002, 05:15 UTC |
| Rocket | Proton-K/Blok-DM3 |
| Launch site | Baikonur 81/23 |
| End of mission | |
| Deactivated | April 16, 2017 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 110° West[1] |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 32 Ku band |
| Coverage area | Contiguous United States and Mexico |
EchoStar VIII was an American geostationary communications satellite which is operated by EchoStar. It is positioned in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 110° West, from where it is used to provide high-definition television direct broadcasting services to the Contiguous United States.
EchoStar VIII was built by Space Systems/Loral, and is based on the LS-1300 satellite bus.[2] It is equipped with 32 Ku band transponders,[3] and at launch it had a mass of 4,660 kilograms (10,270 lb), with an expected operational lifespan of around 12 years.[4] The launch occurred from Baikonur Cosmodrome on 22 August 2002.[5]
The satellite experienced an anomaly on April 16, 2017, and was moved to the graveyard orbit.[3]
