DJ EchoStar Conducts Probe Of Satellite Anomaly >DISH
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--EchoStar Communications Corp. (DISH) said an
investigation is underway to determine the root cause of an "anomaly"
experienced by one of its satellites, according to its quarterly report filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The company said in the filing late Monday that in June, its EchoStar
VIII satellite experienced an anomaly which affected the operation of one of
the primary gyroscopes of the satellite. It also said an investigation of its
EchoStar VI satellite is continuing regarding its solar array strings.
EchoStar Communications said it depends on the EchoStar VIII to
provide local channels to over 40 markets. It said in the event the satellite
experienced a total or substantial failure, it could transfer many but not
all of those channels to other in-orbit satellites.
The company said a spare gyroscope has been switched in and is
performing "nominally." The satellite was originally configured with three
primary and one spare gyroscope.
As a result of a previous anomaly, certain gyroscopes are being used
for longer periods of time in order to maintain nominal spacecraft operations
and pointing.
The company said in April and July that its EchoStar VI satellite
experienced anomalies resulting in the loss of two solar array strings.
Before 2004, it said the satellite lost a total of three solar array strings.
EchoStar Communications said the loss of the strings hasn't affected
commercial operation of the satellite. The filing said the satellite has a
total of 112 solar array strings, and 106 are required to assure full power
availability for the estimated 12-year design life of the satellite.
The company said until the root cause of the anomalies is finally
determined, there can be no assurance future anomalies won't cause further
losses which could affect commercial operation of the satellite.
(MORE) Dow Jones Newswires
08-10-04
Anyone else see this?
What channels are on this bird?
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--EchoStar Communications Corp. (DISH) said an
investigation is underway to determine the root cause of an "anomaly"
experienced by one of its satellites, according to its quarterly report filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The company said in the filing late Monday that in June, its EchoStar
VIII satellite experienced an anomaly which affected the operation of one of
the primary gyroscopes of the satellite. It also said an investigation of its
EchoStar VI satellite is continuing regarding its solar array strings.
EchoStar Communications said it depends on the EchoStar VIII to
provide local channels to over 40 markets. It said in the event the satellite
experienced a total or substantial failure, it could transfer many but not
all of those channels to other in-orbit satellites.
The company said a spare gyroscope has been switched in and is
performing "nominally." The satellite was originally configured with three
primary and one spare gyroscope.
As a result of a previous anomaly, certain gyroscopes are being used
for longer periods of time in order to maintain nominal spacecraft operations
and pointing.
The company said in April and July that its EchoStar VI satellite
experienced anomalies resulting in the loss of two solar array strings.
Before 2004, it said the satellite lost a total of three solar array strings.
EchoStar Communications said the loss of the strings hasn't affected
commercial operation of the satellite. The filing said the satellite has a
total of 112 solar array strings, and 106 are required to assure full power
availability for the estimated 12-year design life of the satellite.
The company said until the root cause of the anomalies is finally
determined, there can be no assurance future anomalies won't cause further
losses which could affect commercial operation of the satellite.
(MORE) Dow Jones Newswires
08-10-04
Anyone else see this?
What channels are on this bird?
