Amazon vs SpaceX and the Battle for the Best Satellite Internet Service
SpaceX and Amazon Are Playing for Keeps to Control Satellite Broadband and Connect the World. But Is There Room for Both in the Orbit?
Launch Date
September 11, 1996
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA2
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 42P
NORAD ID
24313
International Designator
1996-055A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:52:30 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
11.99°
Right Ascension
31.43°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
91.74°
Period
1435.32 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
ECHOSTAR 2
Alternative Name
Echostar II
Type
Status
Owner
ECHO
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 24313U 96055A 26184.49479832 -.00000266 00000-0 00000-0 0 9990
2 24313 11.9909 31.4333 0011607 91.7429 262.9422 1.00325754109170
Source: Celestrak
Length
2.8
Diameter
2.2
Span
23.8
Dry Mass
1324
Launch Mass
2865
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
20
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Echostar 2
Purpose
Communication (Direct Broadcasting)
Mission
Communication (Direct Broadcasting)
Manufacturer
LMTEW
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
AS7000
Configuration
AS-7000
Motor
2x Leros 1B
Equipment
16 Ku-band transponders
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
SpaceX and Amazon Are Playing for Keeps to Control Satellite Broadband and Connect the World. But Is There Room for Both in the Orbit?
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