| By Kate Ivy and
Gary Davis Dish-Network-Satellite-TV.ws
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Satellite TV. DISH Network Satellites in the Sky
DISH
Network has been around for over a decade now, providing
digital services to millions of customers worldwide. With its
most recent launch of EchoStar IX, DISH Network
boasts nine state-of-the-art satellites in its primary servicing
system. Ever wonder where all those satellites are?
DISH Network launched its first satellite in 1995, just three
years after EchoStar was granted its first orbital slot.
EchoStar I was launched from Xichang, China and placed at 119
degrees West Longitude on December 28, 1995. In March of 1996,
DISH
Network begins broadcasting to its customers from its very
first uplink center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. EchoStar I services an
area that spans the western United States to the
Central/Mountain region.
With more than 100,000 customers, the company launched its
second satellite, EchoStar II from Kourou, French Guiana in
South America in September 1996, just one month after opening
its second service center in Thorton, Colorado. Also servicing
the Western United States, EchoStar II was built by Lockheed
Martin and had a launch weight of a whopping 6,360 pounds.
Broadcasting began two months later in November 1996.
In October 1997, EchoStar launches its third satellite, EchoStar
III from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Another Lockheed Martin
product, EchoStar III weighed in at over 8,000 pounds at launch
and orbits at 61.5 degrees West Longitude. The satellite
services the Eastern United States and has double the
transponders of its two predecessors. Just two months later, DISH Network
celebrates its millionth customer.
March of 1998 brings a big change as DISH Network relocates its
world headquarters to the Riverfront building in Littleton,
Colorado. Just two months later, EchoStar IV is launched from
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, providing service to the
continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Now three years old and growing, the company launches EchoStar V
from Cape Canaveral, Florida in September of 1999. Just one
month later, DISH Network celebrates its 3 millionth customer.
Orbiting at 110 degrees West Longitude, EchoStar V services the
continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
The year 2000 brings a number of changes, including a fourth
servicing center in El Paso, Texas. In July, EchoStar VI is
launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, becoming part of the
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