Illustration of EchoStar 8. Photo: Space Systems/Loral

EchoStar 8 is designed to operate in several different payload modes with a combination of national and spot beams. The EchoStar 8 satellite's primary operating mode will provide 16 high-power national transponders at approximately 250 watts RF and 25 spot beam transponders distributed among 16 beams. The unique spot-beam feature will allow a more efficient use of spectrum, enabling EchoStar to expand its DISH Network local-into-local service and increase in-orbit backup capacity.

The EchoStar 8 satellite will join seven other satellites currently comprising the EchoStar fleet. From its location at 110 degrees West Longitude, EchoStar 8, combined with EchoStar 7 at 119 degrees W.L., will provide Ku-band and spot-beam services over the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii to enhance the delivery of EchoStar's local-into-local TV channels.

The EchoStar 8 satellite was constructed by Space Systems/Loral based in Palo Alto, Calif., and the Proton K/Block DM launch vehicle is provided by International Launch Services based in McLean, Va.

Because of EchoStar's significant satellite backup capabilities, along with the expected increase in backup capabilities pending the successful launch of EchoStar 8, and due to the current market for in-orbit insurance, EchoStar has not procured in-orbit insurance for EchoStar 8. EchoStar has procured $125 million of insurance for the launch of EchoStar 8, protecting against the risk of total launch vehicle failure not attributable to the satellite through separation of the satellite from the launch vehicle.

DISH Network is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation. DISH Network is EchoStar's state-of-the-art direct broadcast satellite TV system that is capable of offering over 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming, as well as fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware and installation. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) which contains the largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq Stock Market. DISH Network currently serves over 7.16 million customers.