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The EchoStar 7 telecommunications satellite was launched Feb. 21, 2002 using an Atlas IIIB rocket. It is a direct-broadcast satellite in geosynchronous transfer orbit. The EchoStar 7 telecommunications satellite was launched from the United States Feb. 21, 2002 using an Atlas IIIB rocket. It is a direct-broadcast satellite in geosynchronous transfer orbit. ECHOSTAR 7 can be found in the following categories: * NORAD ID: 27378 * Int'l Code: 2002-006A * Perigee: 35780 km * Apogee: 35794 km * Inclination: 0.1° * Period: 1436.1 min * Reception Areas: CONUS, Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico; 32 Ku-band transponders Dish Network is the primary Digital Ku-band Provider using Echostar 7. There are two channels that are "in the clear" or FTA available on Echostar 7, they are: Angel One, and the NASA channel. == Launch and Placement == EchoStar 7 was placed into a highly elliptical geosynchronous transfer orbit of approximately 57,372 km at the high point and 186 km on the low end with an inclination of 22.88 degrees to the equator. The satellite will fire its onboard engine in a series of maneuvers to achieve a circular orbit of 36,000 km and reduce inclination, arriving in geostationary orbit where the craft will match Earth's rotation to appear parked above one spot of the globe -- 119 degrees West longitude over the equator. From that vantage point, EchoStar 7 will replace the EchoStar 4 spacecraft that has suffered technical problems affecting its ability to relay programming to the subscribers of the direct-to-home satellite TV service called DISH Network. EchoStar has over 6 million subscribers across the U.S. In addition, EchoStar 7, built by Lockheed Martin, will beam local TV channels to Alaska and Hawaii, allowing DISH Network subscribers there to watch their local ABC, CBS and NBC affiliates and other stations. == It's a Big Satellite == [[Image:EchoStar7_001.jpg]] == Launched into Space == [[Image:EchoStar7_002.jpg]] <big>Echostar-VII was launch using a Lockheed Atlas III (AC-204) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida from Launch Complex 36-B. The launch took place Thursday, February 21, 2002 and was originally scheduled for 7:13 EST (12:13 GMT) but was moved to 7:43 AM EST. The launch window was 31 minutes. </big>