DISH Network's AMC-14 satellite set for March 15 launch

Guess what, DirecTV subscribers? Your satellite provider isn't the only one launching a new bird into orbit next month. On March 15, the AMERICOM-14 (AMC-14) will blast off from Kazakhstan and begin its mission of providing DISH Network with "the bandwidth resources needed to increase the number of high-definition and other services offered by EchoStar nationwide." Of course, we've no idea how quickly customers will begin reaping the benefits from yet another sat in the sky, but we'll be a whole lot closer to knowing when this thing (hopefully) departs the atmosphere as planned.

[Via SatelliteGuys, thanks Joe]
[Image courtesy of LaunchPhotography]

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 26th 2008 10:03AM]

Hopefully before April 4th, so they can turn on SciFi HD so we can enjoy new episodes of BattleStar Galactica in HD.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 26th 2008 10:33AM]

hopefully borat won't be launching it... cause i feel it will jsut crash if he tried... lol j/k... hopefully it will service the atlantic region as at my house in the pocono mountains, pa can not get the HD satelite due to it being near a mountain... i hope it will be near the cluster of other satelites that we get with dish.

[twister Posted Feb 26th 2008 11:37AM]

This is exciting news, I hope they will now add HD locals for Duluth, Minnesota and some of the new HD channels. I am glad I stayed with Dish, while Directv fanboys have been laughing their butts off at how Directv got ahead, I always knew it was just a matter of time and I think Dish's HD DVR and video and sound quality are better than Directv so I stayed the course with Dish.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 26th 2008 10:12PM]

Gee, I guess they're launching Atlas V's out of Kazakhstan now.

[MiggityMikeB Posted Feb 26th 2008 11:13AM]

JAGSAJEMESH! Now we can get Kazak shows like "Who Wants To Make Out With Their Sister?" and "Kazakstan Idol"?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 15th 2008 1:44PM]

The launcher experienced an anomaly. It is too early to say if the satellite will be able to reach its operational orbit. If it is possible it will take controllers months to get it there (if ever). Even if it becomes operational it will have a reduced mission life time as a much of the fuel will be expended during the orbit.