Rainbow-1

Echostar 12 (E*12), also known as Cablevision-1 and Rainbow-1, is a commercial communications satellite in geosynchronous Earth orbit. It was launched on 17 July 2003, as Rainbow-1, by an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Its original purpose was to transmit digital television streams for the ill-fated Voom high definition direct broadcast satellite network.

Part of the A2100 series of commercial satellites, Rainbow-1 was constructed by the Lockheed Martin corporation at an approximate cost of $100 million USD, although this amount has not been verified. It is solar powered, has an approximate mass of 2760 kg (launch vehicle mass 4328 kg), and is capable of transmitting on the C- and Ku bands.

EchoStar (Dish Network spin off) now owns the satellite (as it carried Voom HD Networks). The satellite was renamed Echostar 12 (or E*12) in March 2006.

EchoStar 12 is still in orbit and located at 61.5 degrees West longitude, over the Earth's Equator.[1][2] It is currently being used for Dish Network HDTV television signals, transmitted using DVB, on the Ku band transponders. The satellite has lost some capability due to degradation of its solar power system.[3]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.lyngsat.com/rain1.html
  2. ↑ http://www.satbeams.com/satellites?norad=27852
  3. ↑ P. deSelding, "Solar Array Power Failure Limits Use of EchoStar 12 Satellite," Space News 8/31/2009, page 32. web version; see also 19 May 2009

Coordinates: 0°00′N 61°30′W / 0°N 61.5°W / 0; -61.5


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