# EchoStar VIII > retired geostationary communications satellite **Wikidata**: [Q18327693](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18327693) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EchoStar_VIII) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/echostar-viii ## Summary EchoStar VIII is a retired United States‑operated geostationary communications satellite that was launched on 22 August 2002 aboard a Russian Proton‑K rocket. Built by Lanteris Space Systems on the Lanteris 1300 bus, it served the EchoStar fleet for roughly 15 years before being decommissioned to a graveyard orbit in 2017. ## Key Facts - **Launch date:** 22 August 2002 (05:15 UTC) 【launch_date】 - **Launch vehicle:** Proton‑K with Blok DM‑2M upper stage (flight 406‑02) 【launch_vehicle】 - **Launch mass:** 4 660 kg (launch weight) 【mass】 - **Operator & owner:** EchoStar (United States) 【operator】【country】 - **Spacecraft bus:** Lanteris 1300, manufactured by Lanteris Space Systems 【spacecraft_bus】【manufacturer】 - **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit; now a derelict satellite in a graveyard orbit 【satellite_of】【instance_of】 - **Design service life:** 15 years; actual service life 14.6 years 【service_life】 - **Power system:** Two spacecraft solar arrays 【powered_by】 - **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 2002‑039A; SCN 27501 【cospar_id】【scn】 - **Successor:** Galaxy 23 (geostationary communications satellite) 【followed_by】 ## FAQs ### Q: What was the primary purpose of EchoStar VIII? A: EchoStar VIII was a communications satellite designed to provide telecommunications services from geostationary orbit as part of EchoStar’s broadcast and data network. ### Q: When and how was EchoStar VIII launched? A: It was launched on 22 August 2002 at 05:15 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23 aboard a Russian Proton‑K rocket equipped with a Blok DM‑2M upper stage. ### Q: When was EchoStar VIII retired and what happened to it? A: The satellite was decommissioned in April 2017 and moved to a graveyard orbit, where it now remains as a derelict satellite. ### Q: Who built and operated EchoStar VIII? A: Lanteris Space Systems built the satellite on its Lanteris 1300 bus, and it was operated by the U.S. company EchoStar. ### Q: What were the technical specifications of EchoStar VIII’s power system? A: The spacecraft was powered by two solar arrays that supplied electricity to its communications payload. ## Why It Matters EchoStar VIII played a critical role in extending the capacity and reliability of the EchoStar communications constellation, which delivers television broadcasting, broadband, and other data services to millions of users. By operating in a geostationary slot, the satellite provided continuous coverage over its service region, enabling stable, high‑throughput links essential for both consumer and commercial applications. Its 15‑year design life and near‑full utilization (14.6 years of service) illustrate the durability and efficiency of the Lanteris 1300 platform, informing future satellite engineering decisions. The satellite’s retirement and relocation to a graveyard orbit also exemplify responsible end‑of‑life practices that mitigate space debris risks, a growing concern for the sustainability of the near‑Earth environment. Consequently, EchoStar VIII serves as both a technological milestone in U.S. communications infrastructure and a case study in responsible satellite lifecycle management. ## Notable For - **International launch partnership:** Utilized a Russian Proton‑K launch vehicle from Baikonur, highlighting cross‑national collaboration. - **Long service life:** Achieved 14.6 years of operational service, close to its 15‑year design specification. - **Lanteris 1300 bus usage:** One of the early satellites to employ Lanteris Space Systems’ 1300 platform, demonstrating its viability for high‑capacity communications payloads. - **Responsible decommissioning:** Successfully transferred to a graveyard orbit in 2017, adhering to best practices for space debris mitigation. - **Part of the EchoStar fleet:** Contributed to the continuity and expansion of EchoStar’s global broadcast and broadband services. ## Body ### Overview EchoStar VIII (also known as EchoStar 8) is classified as a communications satellite, a geostationary satellite, and a derelict satellite. It was built for the United States‑based operator EchoStar and assigned the COSPAR identifier 2002‑039A. ### Launch - **Date & Time:** 22 August 2002, 05:15 UTC. - **Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 81/23. - **Vehicle:** Proton‑K launch rocket with a Blok DM‑2M upper stage (flight 406‑02). - **Mass at launch:** 4 660 kg. ### Design and Bus - **Manufacturer:** Lanteris Space Systems. - **Spacecraft bus:** Lanteris 1300, a modular platform for high‑power communications payloads. - **Power:** Two solar arrays provided the necessary electrical power for the satellite’s transponders and subsystems. ### Mission Profile - **Orbit:** Placed into a geostationary orbit, maintaining a fixed position relative to the Earth’s surface. - **Service life:** Designed for 15 years; operational records show 14.6 years of service. - **Role:** Delivered telecommunications services, supporting EchoStar’s broadcast and broadband offerings. ### Decommissioning - **Event:** Spacecraft decommissioning. - **Date:** April 2017 (exact day not specified). - **Disposition:** Moved to a graveyard orbit, where it now remains as a derelict satellite. ### Legacy and Successor - **Predecessor:** EchoStar VII. - **Successor:** Galaxy 23, another geostationary communications satellite serving similar functions within the EchoStar fleet. ## Schema Markup ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "name": "EchoStar VIII", "description": "Retired geostationary communications satellite operated by EchoStar.", "sameAs": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EchoStar_VIII", "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27501" ], "additionalType": "CommunicationsSatellite" } ## References 1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/echostar-8.htm) 2. Jonathan's Space Report 3. [Source](http://www.tbs-satellite.com/tse/online/sat_echostar_8.html)