# EchoStar 1 perigee kick motor

> kick motor used to raise the orbit of the EchoStar 1 satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111498931](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111498931)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/echostar-1-perigee-kick-motor

## Summary
The EchoStar 1 perigee kick motor was a kick motor used to raise the orbit of the EchoStar 1 satellite, and it is now classified as a derelict satellite.

## Key Facts
- The EchoStar 1 perigee kick motor is also known as EchoStar 1 PKM.
- It has the COSPAR ID 1995-073C.
- It was launched on December 28, 1995, at 11:50 from the Jiuquan Launch Area 2.
- The launch vehicle was a Long March 2E rocket (designated Y8).
- It is classified as both a perigee kick motor and a derelict satellite.
- The motor was used to raise the orbit of the EchoStar 1 satellite.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the EchoStar 1 perigee kick motor?
A: It was a kick motor used to raise the orbit of the EchoStar 1 satellite and is now classified as a derelict satellite.

### Q: When was the EchoStar 1 perigee kick motor launched?
A: It was launched on December 28, 1995, at 11:50 from the Jiuquan Launch Area 2.

### Q: What rocket launched the EchoStar 1 perigee kick motor?
A: It was launched using a Long March 2E orbital carrier rocket.

## Why It Matters
The EchoStar 1 perigee kick motor represents an essential component in satellite orbital operations, specifically designed to adjust the satellite's orbit by providing the necessary thrust to raise its perigee. This type of motor is critical for positioning satellites into their intended operational orbits and maintaining their position over time. The motor's function is fundamental to satellite communications and broadcasting systems, enabling satellites to achieve and maintain their proper altitude and orbital parameters. Its role in the EchoStar 1 mission demonstrates the importance of precise orbital adjustments in satellite technology, which has become foundational to modern telecommunications and broadcasting infrastructure.

## Notable For
- It was specifically designed for the EchoStar 1 satellite mission.
- It is classified as both a perigee kick motor and a derelict satellite.
- It was launched using a Long March 2E rocket from China's Jiuquan Launch Area 2.
- The motor's function was to raise the orbit of the EchoStar 1 satellite.
- It represents a component of the EchoStar 1 satellite system that has since become nonfunctional.

## Body
### Technical Classification
The EchoStar 1 perigee kick motor is classified as both a perigee kick motor and a derelict satellite. As a perigee kick motor, its primary function was to provide the thrust necessary to raise the satellite's orbit. As a derelict satellite, it now remains in orbit after its operational purpose has been fulfilled.

### Launch Details
The motor was launched on December 28, 1995, at 11:50 from the Jiuquan Launch Area 2 in China. The launch vehicle was a Long March 2E orbital carrier rocket, designated as Y8. This launch marked the deployment of the EchoStar 1 satellite system, which included the perigee kick motor as an essential component.

### Operational Purpose
The primary function of the EchoStar 1 perigee kick motor was to adjust the satellite's orbital parameters by increasing its perigee (the lowest point in its orbit). This orbital adjustment was crucial for positioning the satellite at the appropriate altitude for its intended communications and broadcasting mission. The motor's operation represents a standard procedure in satellite deployment, where post-launch orbital adjustments are typically performed to achieve the desired operational orbit.

### Current Status
As a derelict satellite, the EchoStar 1 perigee kick motor remains in orbit after its operational purpose has been completed. Its current status reflects the typical lifecycle of satellite components, where once their intended function is fulfilled, they may remain in orbit as part of the space debris environment. The motor's classification as derelict indicates it has become nonfunctional or has been abandoned after completing its orbital adjustment mission.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report