Echostar 7 carries 32 Ku-band transponders capable of operating at 120 watts per channel, which are switchable to 16 transponders capable of operating at 240 watts per channel. The 4027 kg (8876 lbm) direct broadcast satellite was built by Lockheed Martin using the A2100AX spacecraft bus. Five transponder frequencies may also be used in a spot beam mode for a potential total of 15 spot beams.
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.