Echostar Satellite Launch Failure
It appears that yesterdays picture perfect launch of SES Americom’s AMC14 satellite did not go as well as it looked. Late in the night the launch company International Launch Server (ILS) issued a press release announcing there was an anomaly during the mission and that the satellite "failed to reach the planned orbit."
The AMC14 satellite built for SES Americom was to be located at the 61.5 orbital location and was to be leased entirely to Echostar for use by Dish Network to expand their High Definition offerings to their customers.
The Proton M rocket successfully lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 7:18 p.m. ET and all looked nominal with the launch until the anomaly occurred during the second burn of the Breeze M upper stage engine.
As of press time there has been no comment from Echostar regarding this issue.
The AMC14 satellite was scheduled to replace the aging Echostar 3 satellite at 61.5. How this effects Dish Networks HD plans now is unknown.
Dan commented:
I understand that Echo planned to launch 3 satellites this year. When is the next scheduled launch and will it be expedited due to this outcome - Thanks!