Posted: Fri, Jun 30, 2006, 10:00 PM ET (0200 GMT)
Space Systems/Loral announced Friday that it has won a contract to build a satellite for EchoStar, one that may be used in China. A SS/L statement only said that EchoStar had ordered a 1300-series spacecraft from the manufacturer, without providing any additional details on the identity, payload, orbital location, or applications of the spacecraft. Space News reported that the spacecraft is likely named CMBStar, and will be used to provide mobile video services in China in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics there. SS/L and EchoStar officials declined to comment on the nature of the deal.
