Mission type Communication COSPAR ID 2000-038A Launch site Cape Canaveral SLC-36B Launch mass 3,700 kg Launch date 14 July 2000 Bus SSL 1300 | Operator EchoStar / BermudaSat Mission duration 12 years Contractor ILS Launch mass 3,700 kg Rocket Atlas II Manufacturer SSL | |
Similar TDRS‑9, TDRS‑10, TDRS‑6, TDRS‑7, TDRS‑3 | ||
EchoStar VI or EchoStar 6 is a former American communications satellite which was operated by private EchoStar company and then was transferred to Bermuda as BermudaSat 1.
It was constructed by Space Systems Loral and is based on the LS-1300 satellite bus. Its launch was contracted by International Launch Services, using an Atlas IIAS carrier rocket. The launch occurred at 05:21 GMT on 14 July 2000 from Space Launch Complex 36B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
It was originally built as Sky 1B or MCI-2 for MCI Communications. This was later cancelled and the satellite was rebuilt as Echostar VI. Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in geostationary orbit at 73° West, from where it provides broadcast and communications services to Europe using wide-band feeds. It carries thirty two transponders, and has an expected on-orbit lifespan of 12 years.
In March and August 2010, the satellite experienced solar-array anomalies resulting in the loss of 24 (of an initial 108) solar cell strings. Although the anomalies did not reduce the estimated useful life, the power reduction limits it to operating 24 DBS transponders (of the initial 32) at approximately 125 watts per channel, or 12 DBS transponders (of an original 16) at approximately 250 watts per channel. After that in April 2013 the satellite was moved to Bermuda’s owned another geostationary point at 96,2° West, leased to Bermuda’s telecommunication company and renamed