SpaceX deploys EchoStar-25 satellite for Dish Network
SpaceX launched EchoStar-25 for Dish Network to geostationary orbit; booster landed and the satellite deployed.
SpaceX successfully launched the EchoStar-25 satellite into geostationary Earth orbit aboard its Falcon 9 rocket in a mission designed to support Dish Network's direct broadcast capabilities. The launch occurred at 12:19 a.m. EDT (0419 UTC) on March 9, 2026, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
A Milestone Deployment
The EchoStar-25 satellite was deployed approximately 33 minutes after liftoff into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. From there, it will maneuver to its final operational position at 110 degrees West, high above the equator. Built on Lanteris Space LLC’s 1300 Series satellite bus, the satellite is engineered to support communication frequencies of 12.2-12.7 GHz for space-to-Earth transmissions and 17.3-17.8 GHz for Earth-to-space connections, as outlined in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
EchoStar-25 is the latest satellite to bolster Dish Network’s direct broadcast satellite services, marking the company's most significant deployment since the launch of EchoStar 23 in 2017.
Reusable Rocket Technology at Work
The Falcon 9 rocket used for this mission featured the booster B1085, which completed its 14th flight. The reusable booster had previously supported high-profile missions such as NASA's Crew-9 and Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 1. After completing its task, the booster successfully landed on the drone ship "A Shortfall of Gravitas", stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This marks the 146th touchdown for this drone ship and SpaceX’s 583rd booster recovery overall.
A Partnership Built on Innovation
The EchoStar-25 satellite is the result of a collaboration between EchoStar Corporation and Lanteris Space LLC (formerly known as Maxar Space Systems), which was acquired by Intuitive Machines in 2023. The satellite’s construction stemmed from a contract signed on March 20, 2023, while SpaceX was selected as the launch provider in the fourth quarter of that year.
The launch also highlights EchoStar's evolving relationship with SpaceX. In September 2025, EchoStar announced the $17 billion sale of its spectrum licenses to SpaceX. The deal, split evenly between cash and SpaceX stock, is expected to accelerate the development of SpaceX’s Direct to Cell service, now branded as Starlink Mobile. Reflecting on the sale, EchoStar CEO Charles Ergen said, "We are disappointed that we were not able to continue with something we built over 17 years. I think that we are also pleased that we have made our bet, and that is with SpaceX and Starlink."
Ergen further emphasized SpaceX's potential, stating, "We see them as the most viable company to do that, and with their tremendous technology and launch capabilities, they are well-positioned to certainly be a leader in that. And as we publicly discussed, we already have an agreement with them to provide that to our customers."
Looking Ahead
While EchoStar-25 is now on its way to operational status, EchoStar has already set its sights on the future. The company announced the construction of EchoStar-26 in May 2025, with the satellite also being built by Lanteris Space LLC and expected to launch in 2028.
As SpaceX continues its record-breaking pace of launches and booster recoveries, the deployment of EchoStar-25 further showcases the company’s ability to deliver reliable, cutting-edge services for satellite operators across the globe.
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