The Echostar 10 telecommunications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin for Echostar Communications Corp. was launched Feb. 15 aboard a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL launch vehicle. Based on Lockheed Martin’s A2100AX platform, Echostar 10 will operate from 110 degrees West and is designed for a minimum service life of 15 years. The satellite features a Ku-band direct broadcast payload designed to provide additional bandwidth for more satellite TV services for Dish Network customers. This was Sea Launch’s first launch of 2006.