# EchoStar XVI

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q86696](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q86696)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EchoStar_XVI)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/echostar-xvi

## Summary
EchoStar XVI is a communications satellite operated by EchoStar, launched on November 20, 2012, using a Proton-M rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. It is part of the geostationary orbit satellite family, designed for telecommunications.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of**: Communications satellite (designed for telecommunications).
- **Operator**: EchoStar.
- **Launch date**: November 20, 2012.
- **Launch vehicle**: Proton-M (a Russian heavy-lift rocket).
- **Launch site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200.
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit.
- **Space tug**: Briz-M (used for orbital adjustments).
- **COSPAR ID**: 2012-065A.
- **Wikidata ID**: 39008.
- **Aliases**: EchoStar XVI.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite is EchoStar XVI?
A: EchoStar XVI is a communications satellite designed for telecommunications, operating in geostationary orbit.

### Q: Who operates EchoStar XVI?
A: EchoStar XVI is operated by EchoStar, a satellite communications company.

### Q: When was EchoStar XVI launched?
A: EchoStar XVI was launched on November 20, 2012, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 using a Proton-M rocket.

### Q: What orbit does EchoStar XVI operate in?
A: EchoStar XVI operates in geostationary orbit, a type of high Earth orbit used for communications satellites.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for EchoStar XVI?
A: The launch vehicle for EchoStar XVI was the Proton-M, a Russian heavy-lift rocket.

## Why It Matters
EchoStar XVI plays a crucial role in providing satellite-based communication services, including television broadcasting, internet access, and data transmission. As part of EchoStar’s fleet, it contributes to global connectivity by delivering high-quality signals to users across its coverage area. Its placement in geostationary orbit ensures continuous service without the need for frequent adjustments. The satellite’s successful deployment highlights the reliability of the Proton-M launch system and the Briz-M upper stage in delivering payloads to their intended orbits.

## Notable For
- **First of its kind**: One of the first communications satellites launched by EchoStar using the Proton-M rocket.
- **Geostationary orbit**: Operates in a stable orbit, ensuring consistent service coverage.
- **Telecommunications focus**: Designed to support broadcasting, internet, and data services.
- **Russian launch system**: Utilized the Proton-M rocket, a proven heavy-lift vehicle.
- **Briz-M upper stage**: Employed for precise orbital placement.

## Body
### Classification
EchoStar XVI is classified as a **communications satellite**, a type of artificial satellite designed for telecommunications. It operates in **geostationary orbit**, a high Earth orbit that allows it to remain stationary relative to a fixed point on the ground.

### Operator and Ownership
The satellite is operated by **EchoStar**, a leading provider of satellite communications services. EchoStar is responsible for managing its orbit, maintaining its systems, and ensuring reliable service delivery.

### Launch Details
- **Launch date**: November 20, 2012.
- **Launch vehicle**: Proton-M, a Russian heavy-lift rocket.
- **Launch site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200, a major spaceport in Kazakhstan.
- **Space tug**: Briz-M, an upper stage used to adjust the satellite’s orbit.

### Orbit and Positioning
EchoStar XVI is positioned in **geostationary orbit**, approximately 35,786 kilometers above Earth’s equator. This orbit allows it to match Earth’s rotation, providing continuous coverage over a specific region.

### Technical Specifications
- **COSPAR ID**: 2012-065A, a unique identifier assigned by the Committee on Space Research.
- **Wikidata ID**: 39008, a reference in the Wikidata knowledge base.
- **Aliases**: EchoStar XVI, used interchangeably with its official designation.

### Significance
EchoStar XVI is notable for its role in expanding satellite-based communication infrastructure. It supports a variety of services, including television broadcasting, internet access, and data transmission. The satellite’s successful deployment underscores the effectiveness of the Proton-M launch system and the Briz-M upper stage in delivering payloads to their intended orbits.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013