EchoStar III Satellite Experiences Anomaly during Move

Aug. 2, 2017

EchoStar III experienced an anomaly of unknown origin that has caused communications with the satellite to be interrupted and intermittent. 

EchoStar III is a Ku-band BSS satellite that provided coverage over the U.S. The satellite, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, was launched in 1997 and has significantly exceeded its 15 year design life. It has been operating in an inclined orbit for more than three years.

"EchoStar has received FCC authority for its current flight configuration and we are working in cooperation with the satellite manufacturer to re-establish a reliable link in order to recover and retire the spacecraft," said Derek de Bastos, chief technology officer for EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. "In spite of the anomaly, we believe that the current EchoStar III orbit does not present a significant risk to the operating satellites in the geostationary arc."