Sea Launch
Successfully Delivers DirecTV 11 To Orbit
(19 March 2008) Sea Launch Company
today successfully delivered the DirecTV 11 broadcast satellite to orbit from
its ocean-based platform on the Equator, marking its 4th successful launch of a
DirecTV satellite.
A Zenit-3SL rocket lifted off at 3:48 pm PDT
(22:48 GMT) from the Odyssey Launch Platform, positioned at 154 degrees West
Longitude, precisely on schedule. All systems performed nominally throughout
the flight. The Block DM-SL upper stage inserted the 5,923 kg (13,058 lb)
DirecTV 11 satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final
orbital position at 99.2 degrees West Longitude. Acquisition of the
spacecraft's first signals from orbit is expected in another few hours and will
be reported when confirmed.
"I congratulate DirecTV on today's
successful launch," said Rob Peckham, president and general manager of Sea
Launch. "This is our fourth successful launch for DirecTV and we're proud to be
a part of your achievements. We look forward to future opportunities to
contribute to your continued success. This is the 16th Boeing-built spacecraft
we've launched and, as always, it's a pleasure working with the Boeing
satellite team.
"I also extend our thanks to everyone involved in
achieving this successful launch, particularly the people of Sea Launch, and
our partners, contractors and families around the world who support
us."
DirecTV 11 is one of three recent Boeing 702-model spacecraft built
for DirecTV and is among the largest and most powerful Ka-band satellites built
to date. The on-board technology of this direct-to-home satellite will enable
DirecTV to continue to expand its industry-leading line-up of quality
high-definition television (HDTV) programming. DirecTV 11, combined with the
DirecTV 10 satellite already in orbit, will provide DirecTV with the capacity
for 150 national HD channels and will be capable of supporting spot beams
carrying 1,500 local HD channels.
Earlier Sea Launch missions for
DirecTV include Spaceway 1 (April 26, 2005), DirecTV 7S (May 4, 2004) and
DirecTV 1R (October 9, 1999).
About Sea Launch Company
Sea Launch
Company, LLC, headquartered in Long Beach, Calif., offers the most direct and
cost-effective route to geostationary orbit for commercial communications
satellites. With the advantage of a launch site on the Equator, the robust
Zenit-3SL rocket can lift a heavier mass or provide longer life on orbit,
offering best value plus optimised spacecraft orbital delivery.
(source:
Sea Launch)
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