ECHOSTAR 23

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ECHOSTAR 23 is classified as:

NORAD ID: 42070

Int'l Code: 2017-014A

Launch date: March 16, 2017
Source: United States (US)
Launch site: AIR FORCE EASTERN TEST RANGE (AFETR)

ECHOSTAR 23 was constructed by Space Systems Loral (SSL), based on the SSL-1300 bus. The satellite was originally designed as EchoStar XIII, or CMBStar, which was intended to be used under a partnership between EchoStar and the Chinese government to provide S-band mobile video broadcasting during the 2008 Summer Olympics. The program was abandoned in April 2008, after construction was complete, when it became clear the satellite would not launch in time for the Olympics – although the reason stated for the cancellation was that performance specifications had not been met. The EchoStar XXIII satellite was ordered in 2014, to reuse the spacecraft which had been constructed for the earlier mission. The large antenna which would have served mobile users of the EchoStar XIII satellite has been replaced with four Ku-band antennae with thirty-two transponders, while the satellite is also able to offer S-band and Ka-band communications. The satellite has a design life of fifteen years and will begin its service life in an orbital slot at a longitude of 45 degrees West. However, it is able to operate in any of EchoStar’s eight geosynchronous slots allotted to Ku-band broadcasting satellites.