The EchoStar X telecommunications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin for EchoStar Communications Corporation of Englewood, Colo., is ready for launch Feb. 8 aboard a Sea Launch Zenit launch vehicle provided by Sea Launch Company, LLC. EchoStar X is the first in a series of seven satellite launches planned this year for Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS).

EchoStar X is the 27th of Lockheed Martin's award-winning A2100 series of spacecraft delivered to satellite operators around the world and the sixth spacecraft and fourth A2100 delivered to EchoStar. Based on Lockheed Martin's high-power A2100AX platform, EchoStar X will operate from 110 degrees west and is designed for a minimum service life of 15 years.

EchoStar X features a Ku-band direct broadcast (DBS) payload optimized to provide additional bandwidth for more satellite TV services for DISH Network customers. EchoStar X, used in conjunction with other EchoStar satellites, enables DISH Network to expand services and channel offerings for its customers nationwide.

Lockheed Martin's highly reliable A2100 telecommunications satellite series has received several industry awards for reliability in its history, including Frost & Sullivan's 2004 Satellite Reliability Award for excellence in the production of flexible and reliable communications satellites used in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). The LMCSS A2100 had the lowest rate of anomalies of satellites in service for the second consecutive year, according to Frost & Sullivan. Of the major commercial satellite buses currently available and in extensive use, Frost & Sullivan concluded that the A2100 is the most reliable satellite now available for a majority of satellite services.

The Lockheed Martin A2100 spacecraft series is designed to meet a wide variety of commercial and government telecommunications needs ranging from Ka-band/broadband services and fixed satellite services in C-band and Ku-band payload configurations, to high-power direct broadcast services using the Ku-band frequency spectrum and S-band mobile satellite services. The A2100's modular design features a reduction in parts, simplified construction, increased on-orbit reliability and reduced weight and cost.

About EchoStar Communications

EchoStar Communications Corporation serves more than 12 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last five years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 800-333-DISH (3474).

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.

Media Contacts: Dee Valleras, 215-497-4185; e-mail, dee.valleras@lmco.com

For more information about Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, see our web site at www.lmcommercialspace.com.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin