Dish Network in the News

Integral Systems to Provide Satellite Control Software For EchoStar

LANHAM, Md., April 3, 2001 /PRNewswire/ -- Integral Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISYS - news) today announced the award of a contract from EchoStar Communications Corporation to provide the primary and backup control software for the EchoStar VII, VIII, and IX satellites, scheduled for future launch.

EchoStar VII is a Lockheed Martin A2100 satellite, while EchoStar VIII and IX are both Space Systems/Loral FS1300 satellites. EchoStar's existing control center, also provided by Integral Systems, will be expanded to incorporate these three additional satellites.

"We are extremely pleased to continue our longstanding relationship with EchoStar,'' said Stuart Daughtridge, vice president of the Commercial Division at Integral Systems. "EchoStar's repeat business with Integral demonstrates their ongoing satisfaction with our system. EchoStar has a large, diverse fleet of geosynchronous satellites, which our proprietary control software can efficiently operate with a single system.''

The Integral software performs real-time command and control, offline trending, and satellite navigation in support of the satellites which comprise the space segment of DISH Network(TM), EchoStar's state-of-the-art direct broadcast satellite TV system. DISH Network provides over 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming, as well as advanced satellite TV receiver hardware and installation. DISH Network was ranked number one in overall customer satisfaction among cable/satellite TV subscribers by J.D. Power and Associates in 1999 and 2000. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is headquartered in Littleton, Colorado. DISH Network currently serves over 5.26 million customers.

Integral Systems has supplied satellite ground systems to NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, NEWskies Satellites, EchoStar, Sirius Satellite Radio, Binariang Satellite Systems, Shin Satellite Public Company Ltd., GE Americom, ChinaSat, EOSAT, Alcatel, TRW, the Republic of China (ROCSAT) and Orbital Sciences, among others.

Founded in 1982, Integral Systems is a leading provider of satellite ground systems and has supported over 120 different satellite missions for communications, science, meteorological and earth resource applications. The Company continues to enhance its current position in government and commercial marketplaces by offering innovative software products and custom services for ground system development and integration. Customers throughout the world are now using Integral Systems' EPOCH 2000 software product, the world's first commercial-off-the-shelf satellite command and control software package. The Orbit Analysis System (OASYS) module of EPOCH 2000 also is sold as a stand- alone product and allows operators to perform satellite orbit determination and control. In addition to these products, the Company provides systems for satellite payload processing, spacecraft integration and test, simulation, and environmental monitoring. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary SAT Corporation (SAT), the Company also now provides satellite and terrestrial monitoring systems to satellite operators and users throughout the world. Integral Systems has more than 230 employees working at Company headquarters in Lanham, Maryland, and at other locations in the U.S. and Europe, including its SAT offices in Sunnyvale, California.