The EchoStar IX satellite is equipped with one of the first commercial Ka-band spot-beam payloads for use over the USA and will be critical to the development of future generations of Ka-band services. EchoStar’s Ka-band portion of the satellite will be used to test, verify and deliver future broadband initiatives for the company. The satellite payload also includes 32 Ku-Band fixed satellite services (FSS) transponders, at approximately 120W, that will enhance EchoStar’s current U.S. DISH Network satellite TV service, including additional service for Alaska and Hawaii. The satellite will operate at the 121° West Longitude orbital location.

With the successful launch of EchoStar IX, constructed by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) based in Palo Alto, California, USA, EchoStar continues to invest in new satellite technologies to expand services for its 8.18 million customers nationwide. EchoStar IX joined EchoStar’s fleet of eight satellites that provide DISH Network customers with hundreds of all-digital television channels, including interactive TV services, sports programming, high-definition television and international programming.

An additional C-band payload on the EchoStar IX satellite was owned and operated by Loral Skynet, a wholly owned subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications and merged with satellite operator Telesat Canada, In July 2003 Loral sold Telstar-13 to satellite operator Intelsat, which operates the C-band payload as Intelsat Americas 13 (IA-13). Intelsat changed the name of the Intelsat Americas 13 satellite to Galaxy-23 in February 2007.

EchoStar IX was launched on August 8th, 2003 from the floating platform Odyssey on the Zenit-3SL launcher operated by launch operator Sea Launch.