DISH files SEC form 8-K with AMC-14 Comments

[ScoBuck]

Filed this morning:

EchoStar Communications Corporation - Current Report

[jesch3]

that last paragraph doesn't look good

[Scott Greczkowski]

This was posted in a couple of the other threads, however this is important information.

From where I sit, I read it as a positive. Instead of them saying the satellite is a loss it says they are working to bring it to proper orbit.

[mattopia]

On March 14, 2008, a Proton launch vehicle carrying the SES Americom AMC-14 satellite experienced an anomaly which left the satellite in a lower orbit than planned. While further testing will be necessary, the satellite appears to be functional. Engineers from SES Americom and Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the satellite, are exploring options to potentially bring AMC-14 into its proper orbit. If those efforts are successful, station keeping fuel would be required to correct the orbit, so the service life of the satellite would be substantially reduced.

We intended to lease the entire capacity of the satellite from EchoStar Corporation in order to, among other things, increase the number of high definition channels we offer. Therefore, the launch anomaly will result in a delay in our roll out of some high definition channels, including some local network channels.

[Poke]

Well either way lets all hope that they use better engines on all of their next planed launches. I hope to see them use U.S. made engines instead of 3rd party stuff but again they need to have back up engines installed or something..

[Scott Greczkowski]

Originally Posted by jesch3

that last paragraph doesn't look good

Here is the last paragraph...

We intended to lease the entire capacity of the satellite from EchoStar Corporation in order to, among other things, increase the number of high definition channels we offer. Therefore, the launch anomaly will result in a delay in our roll out of some high definition channels, including some local network channels.

A "delay" in our rollout of "some" HD channels...

From the way I read that it could delay some of the new HD channel from rolling out as its going to take a little longer for the satellite to get to proper orbit and tested, and thus could delay the launch of some of the new HD channels planned.

Remember Echostar 3 is already there (as its Echostar 12 or as I call it, Rainbow 1) and that most of their plans for the 61.5 slot can still be done even if AMC14 never makes it. The big issue is that Echostar 3 is missing 4 transponders due to electrical problems and the AMC14 satellite would give them back those missing 4 transponders.

Again I consider this 8-K a positive look forward instead of AMC-14 is dead, which is actually what I expected to see in the 8-K.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Originally Posted by Poke

Well either way lets all hope that they use better engines on all of their next planed launches. I hope to see them use U.S. made engines instead of 3rd party stuff but again they need to have back up engines installed or something..

There is no such thing as back up engines. Weight is everything for those launches. The engines used have been some of the most reliable ones available. I don't see an American made engine being any better (or worse) then what was used.

Also again remember the decision to launch from Russia and use a Russian rocket was not made by Dish Network. They are just tennents leasing satellite space.

[ScoBuck]

Reported this morning from the President of SES Americaom:

Edward Horowitz, President and CEO of SES Americom, added the satellite network operator is "confident" the engineering teams at Lockheed Martin and SES will find a way to place AMC-14 into the correct orbit.


EETimes.com - Inmarsat postpones satellite launch after Proton launcher failure

[Poke]

Yeah overall I think it will be fine. They can always put another Sat up and latter time and for now they really need to make sure their other 3 Sats get to their orbits ok..

[Poke]

Originally Posted by Scott Greczkowski

There is no such thing as back up engines. Weight is everything for those launches. The engines used have been some of the most reliable ones available. I don't see an American made engine being any better (or worse) then what was used.

Also again remember the decision to launch from Russia and use a Russian rocket was not made by Dish Network. They are just tennents leasing satellite space.

Yeah I thought weight might be a issue just some hopefully thinking is all. Well since Dish has little say if I were them after this I would make sure to be putting in my 2 cents that's for sure..