EchoStar VI or EchoStar 6 is a former American communications satellite which was operated by EchoStar. In 2013, the satellite was rebranded BermudaSat 1 after the satellite was sold to a Bermudan subsidiary of SES, a satellite operator based in Luxembourg.[1]

EchoStar VI / BermudaSat 1
Mission typeCommunication
OperatorEchoStar / SES
COSPAR ID2000-038A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.26402Edit this on Wikidata
Mission duration12 years
Spacecraft properties
BusLS-1300
ManufacturerLoral
Launch mass3,700 kilograms (8,200 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date14 July 2000, 05:21:01 (2000-07-14UTC05:21:01Z) UTC
RocketAtlas IIAS
Launch siteCape Canaveral SLC-36B
ContractorILS
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeostationary
Longitude73° West -> 96° West

It was constructed by Space Systems Loral and is based on the LS-1300 satellite bus. Its launch was contracted by International Launch Services, using an Atlas IIAS carrier rocket. The launch occurred at 05:21 GMT on 14 July 2000 from Space Launch Complex 36B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

It was originally built as Sky 1B or MCI-2 for MCI Communications. This was later cancelled and the satellite was rebuilt as Echostar VI. Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in geostationary orbit at 73° West, from where it provides broadcast and communications services to Europe using wide-band feeds. It carries thirty two transponders, and has an expected on-orbit lifespan of 12 years.

In March and August 2010, the satellite experienced solar-array anomalies resulting in the loss of 24 (of an initial 108) solar cell strings. Although the anomalies did not reduce the estimated useful life, the power reduction limits it to operating 24 DBS transponders (of the initial 32) at approximately 125 watts per channel, or 12 DBS transponders (of an original 16) at approximately 250 watts per channel.[2]

In April 2013, the satellite was moved to 96.2° West, leased to SES on behalf of the Bermudan government and renamed BermudaSat 1.[3][1][4] As BermudaSat 1, the satellite, which was slated for retirement in 2014, was designed chiefly to serve video and maritime communications in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as to enable to secure the 96.2° West position for Bermuda.[1]

References

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  • Krebs, Gunter. "Echostar 5, 6 / Ciel 1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  • "Echostar 6". Lyngsat. Archived from the original on 2009-05-02. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  • McDowell, Jonathan (2000-07-18). "Issue 430". Jonathan's Space Report. Archived from the original on 2011-06-08. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  • "Satbeams - World Of Satellites at your fingertips". Satbeams Web and Mobile. Retrieved 2016-07-01.