EchoStar VIII,a direct broadcast satellite built for EchoStar by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L),was successfully launched on Aug.22.EchoStar VIII is located at the 110 degrees West longitude orbital position.It is designed to operate in several payload modes.

EchoStar now has a fleet of eight of satellites,two of which were previously built by SS/L,a subsidiary of Loral Space &Communications .The direct broadcast satellite was sent into space from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard a Proton K/Block DM launch vehicle provided by International Launch Services .