EchoStar 17 is go
July 4, 2012
By Chris Forrester
Everything is in place for the July 5 launch of EchoStar’s latest satellite, EchoStar 17 from the spaceport in French Guiana. An Arianespace ECA-5 giant rocket is standing by ready for lift off at 17.36 Washington time (18.36 in French Guiana) when the 30 minute launch window opens.
Arianespace is also carrying a meteorological satellite (MSG-3) for the European Space Agency.
EchoStar-17 is a Space Systems/Loral craft, and its mission is to supply broadband-by-satellite for EchoStar’s Hughes subsidiary, which includes businesses and governmental clients.