Dish Network 2008 Annual Report Download - page 109

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DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
F-27
EchoStar X. EchoStar X was designed with 49 spot beams which use up to 42 active 140 watt traveling
wave tube amplifiers (“TWTAs”) to provide standard definition and HD local channels and other
programming to markets across the United States. During January 2008, the satellite experienced an
anomaly which resulted in the failure of one solar array circuit out of a total of 24 solar array circuits,
approximately 22 of which are required to assure full power for the original minimum 12-year design life
of the satellite. The design life of the satellite has not been affected. However, there can be no assurance
future anomalies will not cause further losses, which could impact commercial operation of the satellite or
its useful life.
Leased Satellites
EchoStar III. EchoStar III was originally designed to operate a maximum of 32 DBS transponders in
CONUS at approximately 120 watts per channel, switchable to 16 transponders operating at over 230 watts
per channel, and was equipped with a total of 44 TWTAs to provide redundancy. As a result of past TWTA
failures only 18 transponders are currently available for use. Due to redundancy switching limitations and
specific channel authorizations, we can only operate on 15 of our FCC authorized frequencies at the 61.5
degree location. While we do not expect a large number of additional TWTAs to fail in any year, and the
failures have not reduced the original minimum 12-year design life of the satellite, it is likely that additional
TWTA failures will occur from time to time in the future, and such failures could further impact commercial
operation of the satellite.
EchoStar IV. EchoStar IV was originally designed to operate a maximum of 32 DBS transponders in
CONUS at approximately 120 watts per channel, switchable to 16 transponders operating at over 230 watts
per channel. As a result of past TWTA failures, only six transponders are currently available for use.
There can be no assurance that further material degradation, or total loss of use, of EchoStar IV will not
occur in the immediate future.
EchoStar VI. EchoStar VI, which is being used as an in-orbit spare, was originally equipped with 108 solar
array strings, approximately 102 of which are required to assure full power availability for the operational life
of the satellite. Prior to 2008, EchoStar VI experienced anomalies resulting in the loss of 22 solar array
strings, reducing the number of functional solar array strings to 86. Although the operational life of the
satellite has not been affected, commercial operability has been reduced. The satellite was designed to operate
32 DBS transponders in CONUS at approximately 125 watts per channel, switchable to 16 transponders
operating at approximately 225 watts per channel. The power reduction resulting from the solar array failures
currently limits us to operation of a maximum of 25 transponders in standard power mode, or 12 transponders
in high power mode. The number of transponders to which power can be provided is expected to decline in
the future at the rate of approximately one transponder every three years.
EchoStar VIII. EchoStar VIII was designed to operate 32 DBS transponders in CONUS at approximately
120 watts per channel, switchable to 16 transponders operating at approximately 240 watts per channel.
EchoStar VIII also includes spot-beam technology. This satellite has experienced several anomalies since
launch, but none have reduced the operational life. However, there can be no assurance that future
anomalies will not cause further losses which could materially impact its commercial operation, or result in
a total loss of the satellite.
EchoStar IX. EchoStar IX was designed to operate 32 FSS transponders in CONUS at approximately 110
watts per channel, along with transponders that can provide services in the Ka-Band (a “Ka-band
payload”). The satellite also includes a C-band payload which is owned by a third party. Prior to 2008,
EchoStar IX experienced anomalies resulting in the loss of three solar array strings and the loss of one of
its three momentum wheels, two of which are utilized during normal operations. A spare wheel was
switched in at the time. These anomalies have not impacted the commercial operation of the satellite.