Echo II gone?! (CONFIRMED) (Echostar 2)

[greg47]

Backup

Wow, I hope this is not true. At least it as a 12 year old sat with only 16 transponders. But it will have serious implications for 77 plans. Then again, perhaps the problem will be resolved.

What is the implication be of a piece of space junk the size of E2 floating around the Clarke Belt?

The FCC now requires a seperate control system to boost or de-orbit to avoid this problem. Question is: since this is a old satellite was the FCC rule in place when it was built? That I can not answer but I will do some searching. If it was not required, then it will be a hazzard that in the end will pose a problem some where down the time line.

 

[kstuart]

The documents filed with the FCC application to move the bird said they would shut it down during the move did'nt they?

Yes, exactly.

My prediction is that nothing is wrong, and they just decided to move everything to E*1 in advance - just to make sure that E*1 could handle it and be stable before they move E*2.

 

[Mr Tony]

Hey Icebe - u gotta quit hanging around all that Ka RF.

I dont hang around anything but my satellites

 

[hockeynut5150]

My prediction is that nothing is wrong, and they just decided to move everything to E*1 in advance - just to make sure that E*1 could handle it and be stable before they move E*2.

that would make so much sense.. you know it's dish we're talking about

 

[mike123abc]

No one complained about locals lost. Perhaps no one was watching before the move occurred. If E2 suddenly croaked one would think it would be out at least a few hours and people would be complaining that their locals were lost. Several AK markets were involved. It would have been a resonable time in AK for them to notice locals out in Fairbanks and Juneau. Not to mention there were like 5 other markets. Someone would have posted.

Perhaps they moved the channels then gave the satellite the wrong command, or perhaps the satellite is turned off for its move.

 

[Laddyboy]

Just some questions.


Why would E*completely turn off E2 before they had completely tested E1's ability to handle the load? Only a few hours had passed when E2 was reported dark.

Was E2 even lit up when E* moved E2's content to E1? Didn't people post that LiL from E2 apparently was missing last night before the switchover.

 

[FCom911]

I recommend that we keep discussions here. It ffects all subs not just those with access to certain forums and believe it or not useful info may come from someone who does not have access to those forums.

Sorry Chief... the ball, is a rollin'... it's all pass tence, at this juncture.

What has been said... ben' said.

After all, we can't put the Genie back into the bottle... can we, now?

This sucks, and we all know it.

There's no need to hide it, because Charlie, bet it all... and now, comes the call...

Show your cards, Charlie... show em'

 

[digiblur]

I have this very strong feeling due to a couple of ways this went down that something is wrong with the bird.

 

[Chena]

No one complained about locals lost. Perhaps no one was watching before the move occurred.

I didn't know until I saw the thread here, and then turned it on and checked
No known interruption here

 

[sampatterson]

EchoStar Communications Corporation - Current Report

Echo2 total loss...

On July 14, 2008, our EchoStar 2 satellite experienced a substantial failure that appears to have rendered the satellite a total loss. EchoStar 2 had been operating from the 148 degree orbital location primarily as a back-up satellite, but had provided local network channel service to Alaska and six other small markets. All programming and other services previously broadcast from EchoStar 2 were restored to Echostar 1, the primary satellite at the 148 degree location, within several hours after the failure. EchoStar 2, which was launched in September 1996, had a book value of approximately $6.4 million as of June 30, 2008.

 

[Peter Parker]

Sorry Chief... the ball, is a rollin'... it's all pass tence, at this juncture.

What has been said... ben' said.

After all, we can't put the Genie back into the bottle... can we, now?

This sucks, and we all know it.

There's no need to hide it, because Charlie, bet it all... and now, comes the call...

Show your cards, Charlie... show em'

I don't think you follow me. I was speaking about not fragmetning the discussin into multiple threads. I was not trying to stifle discussion.

 

[Voyager6]

EchoStar Communications Corporation - Current Report

Echo2 total loss...

On July 14, 2008, our EchoStar 2 satellite experienced a substantial failure that appears to have rendered the satellite a total loss. EchoStar 2 had been operating from the 148 degree orbital location primarily as a back-up satellite, but had provided local network channel service to Alaska and six other small markets. All programming and other services previously broadcast from EchoStar 2 were restored to Echostar 1, the primary satellite at the 148 degree location, within several hours after the failure. EchoStar 2, which was launched in September 1996, had a book value of approximately $6.4 million as of June 30, 2008.

So it's been officially confirmed. Ouch! This will certainly put a hitch in the EA plans. Anybody got a sat for rent?

 

[gadgtfreek]

Man, should I dust off the HR20 in my attic.

 

[darrencp22]

Seriously, why would they depend on a bird that is 2 yrs past it's life expectancy?

 

[gadgtfreek]

Lets face it, they havent made the best decisions lately and they are STILL paying for it.

If this ruins(or delays) their all MPEG4 service and they continue to lack in the PQ dept, more are going to jump.

 

[Hall]

Good call 'old crusty sat eng'. You called it...

 

[Gentleman]

Seriously, why would they depend on a bird that is 2 yrs past it's life expectancy?

And state it still had a book value of 6.4 mil

Bob

 

[gadgtfreek]

And state it still had a book value of 6.4 mil

Bob

Maybe thats the going value for a fishing reef and they plan to drop it off Australia.

 

[darrencp22]

I guess you can say for echo II not everything was "nominal".

 

[sateng1]

SO the 'Death Certificate' is finally out (legal things had to be done first).

And to answer Greg47's question; no backup cmd system available on that series sat. Besides - the failure would not support anything anyway - think of it as a fatal heart attack. E2 was totally brain dead - all over dead.. It is now a 'Nomad'. Lincoln Labs will radar skin track it - as it's inclination will now increase over time, and what ever east or west drift was there - will make it's position within the arc more perilous to others. We wrry about pollution down here - well the GEO arc has it's own pollution problems...



OCSA