DirecTV
11
Launched: 19 March 2008
Site: Sea
Launch's Odyssey platform in the Pacific Ocean
Launcher: Zenit 3SL
Orbit:
GEO, 99.2° W
International Number: 2008-013A
Name: DirecTV
11
Owner: DirecTV Inc
Contractor: Boeing
DirecTV 11 is a
television broadcast satellite owned and operated by DirecTV Inc. It will be
used to provide HDTV broadcasts to the United States.
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.
DirecTV 11 will continue DirecTV's massive capacity expansion
and further strengthen its position as the leading provider of HD programming
in the United States. This is the fourth mission Sea Launch will execute for
DirecTV.
DirecTV 11, the tenth owned and operated satellite in the
DirecTV fleet, is expected to begin operations in early September, providing
capacity for up to 50 additional national HD channels.
The DirecTV 11
satellite's powerful spot beam transponders will also begin delivery of local
HD channels to new markets across the U.S., expanding the number of markets
where DirecTV offers local HD broadcast networks to more than 100 by the end of
2008. DirecTV now offers its customers an industry-leading 92 national HD
channels and provides local HD broadcast channels in 77 cities, representing
approximately 76 percent of U.S. TV households.
About DirecTV,
Inc.
DirecTV, Inc., the nation's leading satellite television service
provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 16.8
million customers in the United States and is leading the HD revolution with 92
national HD channels - more quality HD channels than any other television
provider. Each day, DirecTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of
100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming, industry-leading
customer satisfaction (which has surpassed cable for seven years running) and
superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD-DVR services and the
most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available
anywhere.
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, Boeing,
DirecTV Inc)
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