Dish Network's HDTV Satellite: Not Dead Yet

By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (March 17, 2008) -- Dish Network's new HDTV satellite could still become operational, officials said yesterday.

The AMC-14 satellite, which Dish is leasing from SES Americom, lifted off successfully Friday morning. But International Launch Services, which was conducting the launch, reported that an "anomaly" occurred during the second burn of the Breeze M upper stage.

The satellite then failed to reach its planned orbit.

"While we are not in a position to comment on the possible causes of this launch anomaly, the satellite is healthy and is operating nominally in a stable orbit," SES Engineering said in a statement.

SES and Lockheed Martin engineers are exploring ways to place the AMC-14 into its proper geostationary orbit, the companies said. However, even if successful, the procedures could shorten the life of the satellite.

Dish Network intends to use the satellite to expand its capacity for national and local HD channels. The satcaster has said it will launch three new satellites in 2008 to expand its HD capacity, with the AMC-14 being the first.