Spacecraft n°: |
USA satellite n°: |
Launch data:
| Designation | 28659 / 05019A |
| Launch date | 22 May 2005 - 17:59 UT |
| Launch site | B, LC-200/39 |
| Launch vehicle |
Proton-M/Briz-M |
| Mission | Commercial: Communication |
| Geostationary orbit on 2 Jun - 16:49 UT: |
| Perigee / Apogee | 35773 x 35792 km |
| Inclination | 0.06° |
| Period | 1435.88 min |
|
|
Launched by I.L.S. (International Launch Services)
Spacecraft data:
| Prime contractor | Space Systems, LORAL |
| Platform | LORAL LS-1300 |
| Operator | DirectTV, Inc |
| Mass at launch | 3711 kg |
| Dry Mass | kg |
| Basic shape | |
| Dimension | |
| Solar array | |
| Propulsion | R-4D-11 |
| Power | 8200 W |
| Emission | 32 Ku-band transponders
Ka-band transponders |
| Design lifetime | 12 years - still active |
|
Location:
| Begin | Position | Remarks |
| 2005 | 259°E | |
| 13 Sep 2005 | 221-222°E | 23 Sep 2005 drift orbit |
| April 2010 | 259.19°E | |
|
Description:
The DIRECTV 8 satellite will provide selectable medium and high power Ku-band
broadcast services to the U.S. on up to 32 transponders. The service is
optimized to support the current and next generation higher coding rate services
that DIRECTV provides. The Ka-band payload will use the full 1,000 MHz of
Ka-band communications bandwidth available to link DIRECTV facilities as part of
DIRECTV's dramatic infrastructure development for the upcoming launch of local
digital and high definition services in the Ka-band. The satellite is designed
to provide almost 8,500 watts of DC power at the end of its 15-year mission life
and will weigh less than 3,800 kilograms at separation from the Proton launch
vehicle. The satellite will remain in Palo Alto until it is time to ship the
satellite to the launch site for integration with the Proton launch vehicle.
The spacecraft is a version of SS/L’s space-proven LS-1300
satellite platform, which has an excellent record of reliable operation. The
geostationary LS-1300 has
a designed service life of 15 years and maintains station-keeping and orbital
stability by using bipropellant propulsion and momentum-bias systems.
A system of high efficiency solar arrays and lightweight batteries provides
uninterrupted electrical power.
36 Ku- and Ka-band transponders.
Ref.: #3(SD395,399), #7, #14, #226 - update: 18.05.10