DISH Network(R) Introduces DISH Earth Channel

Wed Apr 22, 2009 11:30am EDT
 
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Real-time views of planet from world's first Earth-directed camera mounted on
a commercial communications satellite

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DISH Network Corporation
(Nasdaq: DISH) today announced the launch of DISH Earth, a channel exclusively
available to DISH Network customers, offering dramatic live views of Earth 24
hours per day, including passing views of the moon, Venus, and even
unidentified flying objects. DISH Network customers can experience the
camera's live feed for free on Ch. 212 beginning this evening.

The DISH Earth channel content is supported by a camera installed on DISH
Network's EchoStar 11 satellite - the world's first Earth-directed camera
mounted on a commercial communications satellite. Six years in the making, the
DISH Earth camera offers a 30 degree x 22.4 degree field-of-view that includes
fascinating live full-disk views of the planet from a distance of
approximately 22,300 miles above Earth. The regular night/day cycle, weather
patterns, and seasonal changes in the western hemisphere are clearly visible
via the 'eyes' of the camera, which observe objects in the visible spectrum,
similar to the human eye, with a resolution of about 20 km per pixel. 

"We are pleased to be able to offer, exclusively to our customers, footage
from the world's only Earth-viewing live video camera on a commercial
communications satellite," said Dave Shull, senior vice president of
Programming at DISH Network. "What's more, from time to time, the DISH Earth
camera is able to capture some unique images, including an unidentified flying
object last August."

The DISH Earth camera was integrated onboard the EchoStar 11 spacecraft, a
high powered satellite launched in 2008 to a geo-synchronous orbit at 110
degrees west longitude, which provides video service for DISH Network
customers. 

In addition to the live video footage, DISH Network has also partnered with
Space Services, Inc. (SSI), a Houston-based aerospace company, to offer
consumers photos of the planet on a loved one's special day via its Give the
World(TM) service. The camera captures the cloud formations, storms, and the
green and blue beauty of planet Earth forever in a nicely packaged photo frame
to commemorate a birthday, wedding, anniversary or any memorable occasion.
Regular photo pricing ranges from $29.95 to $99.95. 

The DISH Earth camera was developed by the EchoStar Spacecraft Operations
Team, Ecliptic Enterprises Corporation of Pasadena, CA, and Space
Systems/Loral and is operated under a license granted by the U.S. National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

For more information about DISH Earth and Give the World, visit
www.GiveTheWorld.com. To view videos of timelapsed images of the earth and an
unidentified flying object, visit www.GiveTheWorld.com/aboutEchoStar11.asp. To
learn more about DISH Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com. 

About DISH Network Corporation 
DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) provides approximately 13.678 million
satellite TV customers as of Dec. 31, 2008 with the highest quality
programming and technology at the best value, including the lowest all-digital
price nationwide. Customers have access to hundreds of video and audio
channels, the most international channels in the U.S., state-of-the-art
interactive TV applications, and award-winning HD and DVR technology including
1080p Video on Demand and the DuoDVR(TM) ViP(R) 722 DVR, a CNET and PC
Magazine "Editors' Choice." DISH Network is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index
(NDX) and is a Fortune 250 company. Visit www.dishnetwork.com.  

About EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar
Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS), which provides equipment sales, digital broadcast
operations, and satellite services. EchoStar has 25 years of experience
designing, developing and distributing advanced award-winning set-top boxes
and related products for pay television providers. The company includes a
network of 10 full-service digital broadcast centers and leased fiber optic
capacity with points of presence in approximately 160 cities. EchoStar also
delivers satellite services from eight owned and leased in-orbit satellites
and related FCC licenses. Visit www.echostar.com for more information.

About Space Services
Space Services, Inc. is a Houston-based aerospace company and a leader in
public participation spaceflight. Space Services, Inc. heritage encompasses
nearly 30 years of leadership in private sector space missions and
applications including the first ever private launch into outer space, the
first ever memorial spaceflight, and several high visibility public space
missions for science, education and entertainment. This orbit allows EchoStar
11 to remain at the same position above the Earth 24 hours a day. The DISH
Earth camera on EchoStar 11 is operated under a license from the U.S. National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

About Ecliptic
Pasadena, Calif.-based Ecliptic Enterprises Corporation is the world's leading
provider of video systems for use with rockets and spacecraft. Since 1997 its
rugged RocketCam(TM) systems have been successfully launched onboard 62
rockets and 4 spacecraft, including EchoStar 11.  Three NASA lunar spacecraft
will carry RocketCam to the Moon during the next three years. Visit
http://www.eclipticenterprises.com. 



SOURCE  DISH Network Corporation

Francie Bauer of DISH Network Corporation, +1-720-514-5351,
press@dishnetwork.com

 

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