Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Echostar Comm. -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Goodboy who wrote (800)	5/13/1998 10:38:00 AM
From: Diamondcutter	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1394

International Launch Services orbits Echostar IV by Proton MOSCOW - A Proton rocket orbited the U.S. Echostar IV direct- broadcasting satellite from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Friday, marking the return to service of RSC Energia's Block DM3 upper stage after the stage failed on its previous commercial launch attempt. The launch occurred from Baikonur Site 81 at 3:45 a.m. Moscow Daylight Time (17:45 p.m. on May 7 EDT). The three-stage Proton vehicle, built by Khrunichev State Space Center, inserted the Block DM3 forth stage with the Echostar IV satellite attached into a low parking orbit. At the first northbound crossing of the equatorial plane the Block DM3 engine ignited for nearly 400 seconds to raise apogee to geosynchronous altitude and to lower the orbital inclination. Six hours and 19 minutes after launch, the Block DM3 reignited at apogee for another 110 seconds to further lower orbital inclination down to about 15 degrees and raising the perigee to about 7,700 kilometers. After separation from the kick stage Echostar IV will perform a series of independent maneuvers using its on-board liquid-fueled rocket motor to get into geosynchronous orbit, achieving final orbit on May 12. After that the satellite will undergo a series of checks over 30 days before being commissioned for regular commercial operation. Successful insertion of Echostar IV into GTO rehabilitated the Block DM3 stage after the launch failure last December. Earlier in April similar Block DM stages, with slightly different modifications, also successfully orbited a group of Iridium satellites and the Russian Cosmos-2350 early warning satellite. Deputy Director of Khrunichev Alexandr Lebedev emphasized that the two latest Proton launches were performed within nine days. The launch of Echostar IV was the 252nd for the Proton rocket since 1967 and its tenth commercial mission for a foreign customer since April 1996. Echostar IV is fourth satellite owned by the Echostar company of Englewood, Colo., and the second built by Lockheed Martin Telecommunications on its most advanced A2100AX satellite bus. (Echostar 1 and 2, launched in 1995 and 1996, were based on Lockheed Martin's Series 7000 bus.) Echostar IV, weighing about 3,470 kilograms at liftoff, carries a total of 44 transponders arranged into two even groups with 16 active and six backups in each. It will be positioned in the main Echostar slot at 119 degrees West longitude, together with Echostar 2. Echostar 1, currently also located in 119 degrees West, will be moved to a now-empty location at 148 degrees West. With the introduction of Echostar IV in regular operation, Echostar will be capable of broadcasting up to 500 television channels over North America. Currently Echostar has about 1.3 millions subscribers to its "Digital Sky Highway" (DISH) Network. Echostar Chairman Charles Ergen said that after successful launch of Echostar IV the company will begin seeking a vendor to deliver Echostar V. This satellite could be orbited in about two years to provide direct broadcasting in the Ku- and Ka-bands. Charles Lloyd, President of International Launch Services, which managed the launch, said that during upcoming four to five months ILS plans to orbit four more satellites on Proton - Astra-2A for SES; Telesat DTH for Telesat Canada; Telstar for Loral and a platform for PanAmSat. During the subsequent 12 months eight to nine more satellites are scheduled for launch by Protons for ILS.

To: Goodboy who wrote (800)	5/13/1998 6:12:00 PM
From: Fairways9	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1394

Goodboy, You wrote "Primestar is the only one who leases the equipment to those who can't shell out $300 up front). DBS is not competitive with cable on price. They are not even close because of the up front costs." Have you looked at DISH's latest promotion? If you shop for DISH equipment on the internet you can get the equipment for FREE (after considering the 2 month credit they have going now). Its only $80 at full retail. There are a dozen guys I know that are seriously considering DISH right now. Although Primestar leases the equipment, it is my understanding that the REAL cost to subs is fairly expensive. I don't agree with your assessment and it appears that consumers don't agree because DISH is mostly getting it's market share off the back of Primestar -- not Direct TV. Just my two cents. Marc