Author Topic: LIVE: Sea Launch: DIRECTV-11 launch - March 19 (Read 51282 times)

Satori · « **on:** 02/21/2008 11:06 am »

Creating a thread for the next Sea launch mission in March 2008 to launch the DirecTV-11 communications satellite.

The satellite was delivered to the Payload Processing Facility a few weeks ago in January and the Payload Unit with the satellite was transfered to the Sea Launch Commander where it will be mated with the 11K77 Zenit-3SL launch vehicle.

moonman · « **Reply #1 on:** 02/23/2008 03:49 pm »

Payload fact sheet (PDF)..........
http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/space/bss/factsheets/702/dtv10-11-12_factsheet.pdf

moonman · « **Reply #2 on:** 02/23/2008 04:40 pm »

Next step: Departure of the Odyssey Launch Platform
See "mission highlights" for pics. so far........
http://www.sea-launch.com/current_launch.htm

« **Reply #3 on:** 02/24/2008 05:11 pm »

DIRECTV-11 Flight Profile

« **Reply #4 on:** 02/24/2008 05:13 pm »

Zenit 3SL final test before departures to the launch site
http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_directv-11/final_test_launch/final_test_launch.html

anik · « **Reply #5 on:** 02/27/2008 01:40 pm »

I was told the launch is postponed. The launch date was March 9. Now it is TBD.

Rocatman · « **Reply #6 on:** 02/27/2008 03:53 pm »

Have you heard a reason for the postponement?

anik · « **Reply #7 on:** 02/28/2008 06:57 am »

Quote

Rocatman - 27/2/2008 7:53 PM

Have you heard a reason for the postponement?

Problem with DirecTV 11 satellite.

McDew · « **Reply #8 on:** 02/28/2008 10:32 am »

Quote

anik - 28/2/2008 2:57 AM

Quote
Rocatman - 27/2/2008 7:53 PM

Have you heard a reason for the postponement?

Problem with DirecTV 11 satellite.

Not sure, I heard the launch vehicle had an electrical problem during checkout and they are waiting to fix before leaving port.

anik · « **Reply #9 on:** 02/28/2008 02:58 pm »

Quote

McDew - 28/2/2008 2:32 PM

Not sure, I heard the launch vehicle had an electrical problem during checkout and they are waiting to fix before leaving port

Yes, it is electrical problem. I was told it is related to satellite. But I think you have better info. Thanks for important correction!

moonman · « **Reply #10 on:** 03/02/2008 02:10 am »

Anything new as to what the trouble is?? I can confirm that both the Commander and the
Odyssey remained in port today ( Sat. March 1). It is obvious that given the sailing time, that
they will not be making the March 9th launch date.
http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1480161&postcount=686

William Graham · « **Reply #11 on:** 03/02/2008 09:03 am »

Quote

moonman - 2/3/2008 3:10 AM

they will not be making the March 9th launch date.

We were already aware that it had been delayed. Current date is TBD.

anik · « **Reply #12 on:** 03/03/2008 01:37 pm »

The electrical problem has been successfully resolved. The Odyssey platform has departed Long Beach yesterday. The launch is scheduled approximately on March 17th.

anik · « **Reply #13 on:** 03/03/2008 02:40 pm »

Sea Launch Webcam Page - http://www.navigon.net/sl/pictures/

Jirka Dlouhy · « **Reply #14 on:** 03/06/2008 06:58 am »

The SL wessels started go to place of launch in Pacific from Long Beach.

JohnWT · « **Reply #15 on:** 03/06/2008 10:26 am »

SFN are giving a launch date of March 17th.

moonman · « **Reply #16 on:** 03/06/2008 02:45 pm »

Offical SeaLaunch announcement-Press release, on launch date:
http://www.boeing.com/special/sea-launch/news_releases/nr_080305.html

Mister D · « **Reply #17 on:** 03/09/2008 02:49 pm »

DIRECTV has carried the live telecast of many of its previous launches on a spare channel. Has anyone heard if they will be doing this again for DTV-11?

satlaunch · « **Reply #18 on:** 03/12/2008 01:40 pm »

Departure of the Sea Launch Commander: http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_directv-11/acs_depart/acs_depart.html

moonman · « **Reply #19 on:** 03/14/2008 02:25 pm »

Launch platform on station:
Long Beach, Calif., March 14, 2008 – The Sea Launch team has arrived at the launch site on the equator and will initiate a 72-hour countdown today, in preparation for the launch of the DIRECTV 11 broadcast satellite on Monday, March 17. Liftoff is planned at 3:49 pm PDT (22:39 GMT), at the opening of a 58-minute launch window. All systems are proceeding on schedule.

With operations at the launch site now underway, the marine crew has ballasted the Odyssey Launch Platform to its launch depth for stability. The Sea Launch Commander will be stationed near the Odyssey throughout the weekend, occasionally connected by a link bridge that enables foot traffic between the two vessels.

On the day before launch, the rocket will be rolled out of its environmentally-protected hangar on the platform and automatically erected on the launch pad. Before fueling begins, all personnel will evacuate the platform and transfer to the ship, which will be stationed about four miles uprange, throughout launch operations. At launch, the Zenit-3SL vehicle will lift the 5,923 kg (13,058 lb) DIRECTV 11 satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final orbital location of 99.2 degrees West Longitude.
http://www.sea-launch.com/news_releases/nr_080314.html

moonman · « **Reply #20 on:** 03/16/2008 02:35 pm »

Quote

Mister D - 9/3/2008 11:49 AM

DIRECTV has carried the live telecast of many of its previous launches on a spare channel. Has anyone heard if they will be doing this again for DTV-11?

=============
DirecTV will open channel 573 which is normally closed to regular viewers, from 6:30PM EDT
to 8:30PM EDT. It's already in the guide...set yuour DVR's

moonman · « **Reply #21 on:** 03/16/2008 05:11 pm »

Rocket has been raised to vertical.
http://www.navigon.net/sl/pictures/

DaveS · « **Reply #22 on:** 03/17/2008 09:08 am »

Launch has been scrubbed due to an undisclosed issue. The scrub was called yesterday afternoon according to sea-launch.com. No new launch date has been announced.

DaveS · « **Reply #23 on:** 03/17/2008 09:09 am »

Quote

moonman - 16/3/2008 7:11 PM

Rocket has been raised to vertical.
http://www.navigon.net/sl/pictures/

And now it is back in the hangar again.

@RD170@ · « **Reply #24 on:** 03/17/2008 02:05 pm »

Could this be related to make sure that upper stage is ok ¿?. Maybe sealaunch is making efforts to avoid any problem with upper stage burning. We must remember that sealaunch upper stage is almost the same than ILS upper stage on proton ( recently failed).
Sealaunch must assure launch.

Jim · « **Reply #25 on:** 03/17/2008 02:14 pm »

Quote

@RD170@ - 17/3/2008 11:05 AM

Could this be related to make sure that upper stage is ok ¿?. Maybe sealaunch is making efforts to avoid any problem with upper stage burning. We must remember that sealaunch upper stage is almost the same than ILS upper stage on proton ( recently failed).
Sealaunch must assure launch.

They are not the same. Sealaunch uses a Block DM and Proton uses the Breeze uppstage.

@RD170@ · « **Reply #26 on:** 03/17/2008 02:40 pm »

Quote

Jim - 17/3/2008 5:14 PM

Quote
@RD170@ - 17/3/2008 11:05 AM

Could this be related to make sure that upper stage is ok ¿?. Maybe sealaunch is making efforts to avoid any problem with upper stage burning. We must remember that sealaunch upper stage is almost the same than ILS upper stage on proton ( recently failed).
Sealaunch must assure launch.

They are not the same. Sealaunch uses a Block DM and Proton uses the Breeze uppstage.

Hello Jim, thats why I said "upper stage is almost the same".

Block DM and Breeze are made by Krunichev and both Upper stage share common parts.

@RD170@ · « **Reply #27 on:** 03/17/2008 02:51 pm »

Breeze is Hypergolic and Block DM is criogenic, but russian always re-use technology ( computer guidance and so on ... ).

Olaf · « **Reply #28 on:** 03/17/2008 02:56 pm »

Quote

@RD170@ - 17/3/2008 10:40 AM

Hello Jim, thats why I said "upper stage is almost the same".

Block DM and Breeze are made by Krunichev and both Upper stage share common parts.

Blok DM is made by Energiya.

@RD170@ · « **Reply #29 on:** 03/17/2008 02:58 pm »

I was living some time in a Baltic former USSR republic. And it was funny, MIG factories sometimes made spoons with the same aluminium alloy than MIG planes. With this you can assume how russians re-use technology.

@RD170@ · « **Reply #30 on:** 03/17/2008 03:17 pm »

ooppsss you´re right, Energia make Block DM and Block DM-SL.

William Graham · « **Reply #31 on:** 03/17/2008 04:21 pm »

MSDB reports that the launch has been rescheduled for 19 March.
http://msdb.honeywell-tsi.com/launches.asp

moonman · « **Reply #32 on:** 03/18/2008 05:17 pm »

Must have taken Viagra :laugh: It's back up again..new date is Wed. March 19th.

moonman · « **Reply #33 on:** 03/18/2008 06:38 pm »

Official: Launch is back on for Wed. March 19.
http://www.sea-launch.com/current_launch.htm

« **Reply #34 on:** 03/18/2008 10:06 pm »

Zenit 3SL in the launch pad

« **Reply #35 on:** 03/18/2008 10:08 pm »

http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_directv-11/mission_album/page8/page8.html

A day before launch, activity prevails on the Odyssey Launch Platform.
PHOTOS

« **Reply #36 on:** 03/18/2008 10:11 pm »

New Launch Window:
6:48-7:46 p.m. EDT

moonman · « **Reply #37 on:** 03/19/2008 03:07 am »

If you have DirecTV, you can set your DVR's to record the launch live on ch. 573 6:30-8:30 PM
EDT. If you can't make that, the program will replay on Thur. 6AM-8PM (every two hours)

shuttlepilot · « **Reply #38 on:** 03/19/2008 06:55 pm »

Just passed L-3 hours. It doesn't look like good weather...

DarthVader · « **Reply #39 on:** 03/19/2008 07:49 pm »

At what time is the live coverage suppose to start? 3:30PM PDT?

DaveS · « **Reply #40 on:** 03/19/2008 07:54 pm »

Quote

DarthVader - 19/3/2008 9:49 PM

At what time is the live coverage suppose to start? 3:30PM PDT?

I think so.

William Graham · « **Reply #41 on:** 03/19/2008 08:03 pm »

Quote

shuttlepilot - 19/3/2008 7:55 PM

Just passed L-3 hours. It doesn't look like good weather...

Is weather a constraint for Sea Launch (apart from sea conditions, and hence winds, etc...)

Satori · « **Reply #42 on:** 03/19/2008 08:08 pm »

Moved for live coverage...

DarthVader · « **Reply #43 on:** 03/19/2008 08:35 pm »

I wish they had some sort of launch blog or something ... 'cause there isn't much information available on the launch preparation ...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #44 on:** 03/19/2008 08:58 pm »

We'll take screenshots when they go to live coverage please (I'm unable).

We have a launch video being recorded, however.

roy · « **Reply #45 on:** 03/19/2008 09:01 pm »

when the feed starting ?

Satori · « **Reply #46 on:** 03/19/2008 09:05 pm »

It looks like the weather is getting better...

DarthVader · « **Reply #47 on:** 03/19/2008 09:08 pm »

Feed to start at 3:30pm PDT (22:30GMT), according to SeaLaunch site.

moonman · « **Reply #48 on:** 03/19/2008 09:08 pm »

Ch. 573 on DirecTV has gone to a Logo....looks like the launch is on!!

DarthVader · « **Reply #49 on:** 03/19/2008 09:21 pm »

Here's a link to the feed:

http://varicast.variview.net/mediaFactory.aspx?WCID=349a9632-ef36-467c-a6a1-f114a5742152&StreamID=43&MediaID=1

Satori · « **Reply #50 on:** 03/19/2008 09:21 pm »

From the Sea Launch homepage:

"Boeing delivered the DIRECTV 11 broadcast satellite to the Payload Processing Facility at Sea Launch Home Port in January 2008. The spacecraft team began the process of testing, fueling and encapsulating the satellite in a payload fairing, in preparation for launch operations in March.

DIRECTV 11, with a mass of a 5923 kg (13,058 lb), 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 lineup 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. Previous satellites include Spaceway 1 (April 26, 2005), DIRECTV 7S (May 4, 2004) and DIRECTV 1R (October 9, 1999)."

Satori · « **Reply #51 on:** 03/19/2008 09:24 pm »

Mission profile and launch timeline (from the Sea Launch homepage):

Lifting off from the Odyssey Launch Platform at 154 degrees West Longitude, a Zenit-3SL rocket will place the DIRECTV 11 satellite into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, with the spacecraft separating from the upper stage at 2130 km (1,323 miles) above the Indian Ocean.

Two-and-a-half minutes after liftoff, the first stage and then the payload fairing will be jettisoned. Five minutes later, the second stage will separate from the Block DM upper stage. After the first burn of the Block DM, the spacecraft will coast for 30 minutes over the Pacific Ocean, South America and the Atlantic Ocean. Following this coast, the Block DM will execute a second burn for about seven minutes and then coast again for about ten minutes until spacecraft separation over the Indian Ocean. Boeing Satellite Systems expects to acquire a signal from the spacecraft at a ground station in Hartebeesthoek, South Africa.

With a designed lifetime of 15 years, the satellite will ultimately be positioned in Geostationary Orbit, 35,786 km (22,236 miles) above the Earth, at 99.2 degrees West Longitude.

Time Event

L= 0:00:00 Liftoff
L+ 0:02:29 Stage 1 Separation
L+ 0:03:52 Payload Fairing Jettison
L+ 0:08:31 Stage 2 Separation
L+ 0:08:41 Block DM 1st Burn Ignition
L+ 0:13:10 Block DM 1st Burn Shutdown
L+ 0:43:10 Block DM 2nd Burn Ignition
L+ 0:50:15 Block DM 2nd Burn Shutdown
L+ 1:00:55 Spacecraft Separation
L+ 6:00:00 Spacecraft Acquisition (estimated)

Satori · « **Reply #52 on:** 03/19/2008 09:28 pm »

Assuming everything is ok for launch we are at T-20m and counting...

stockman · « **Reply #53 on:** 03/19/2008 09:29 pm »

Webcast has started

DarthVader · « **Reply #54 on:** 03/19/2008 09:29 pm »

Feed is LIVE ( ... somewhat) :-)

Satori · « **Reply #55 on:** 03/19/2008 09:30 pm »

Webcast at mms://wm.variview.net/7_80?WCID=2149

Nick L. · « **Reply #56 on:** 03/19/2008 09:30 pm »

Webcast has started!

William Graham · « **Reply #57 on:** 03/19/2008 09:32 pm »

Can somebody record please?

Nick L. · « **Reply #58 on:** 03/19/2008 09:32 pm »

William Graham · « **Reply #59 on:** 03/19/2008 09:32 pm »

Errector moving away from the rocket.

Nick L. · « **Reply #60 on:** 03/19/2008 09:33 pm »

Arm moving away from the vehicle.

Andrewwski · « **Reply #61 on:** 03/19/2008 09:33 pm »

Quote

GW_Simulations - 19/3/2008 6:32 PM

Can somebody record please?

Yes, I've got that covered.

DarthVader · « **Reply #62 on:** 03/19/2008 09:39 pm »

Do they have camera located on the launch platform?

Nick L. · « **Reply #63 on:** 03/19/2008 09:39 pm »

William Graham · « **Reply #64 on:** 03/19/2008 09:40 pm »

Quote

Andrewwski - 19/3/2008 10:33 PM

Quote
GW_Simulations - 19/3/2008 6:32 PM

Can somebody record please?

Yes, I've got that covered.

Thanks.

Satori · « **Reply #65 on:** 03/19/2008 09:40 pm »

Quote

DarthVader - 19/3/2008 5:39 PM

Do they have camera located on the launch platform?

No camera for the live broadcast, but there are cameras there.

Nick L. · « **Reply #66 on:** 03/19/2008 09:40 pm »

DarthVader · « **Reply #67 on:** 03/19/2008 09:42 pm »

Quote

Satori - 19/3/2008 3:40 PM

Quote
DarthVader - 19/3/2008 5:39 PM

Do they have camera located on the launch platform?

No camera for the live broadcast, but there are cameras there.

Bummer ... that far away viewpoint is a little bit boring ...

Nick L. · « **Reply #68 on:** 03/19/2008 09:43 pm »

T-5 minutes.

Launch dedicated to Arthur C. Clarke.

Satori · « **Reply #69 on:** 03/19/2008 09:44 pm »

Quote

DarthVader - 19/3/2008 5:42 PM

Quote
Satori - 19/3/2008 3:40 PM

Quote
DarthVader - 19/3/2008 5:39 PM

Do they have camera located on the launch platform?

No camera for the live broadcast, but there are cameras there.

Bummer ... that far away viewpoint is a little bit boring ...

Weather conditions aren't the best for the transmission..

Nick L. · « **Reply #70 on:** 03/19/2008 09:45 pm »

T-3 minutes. All systems go!

Nick L. · « **Reply #71 on:** 03/19/2008 09:45 pm »

« **Reply #72 on:** 03/19/2008 09:45 pm »

Weather temp is 72

DarthVader · « **Reply #73 on:** 03/19/2008 09:46 pm »

do you guys have image? I only have a black image ...

Nick L. · « **Reply #74 on:** 03/19/2008 09:46 pm »

Nick L. · « **Reply #75 on:** 03/19/2008 09:47 pm »

T-60 seconds. Go Sea Launch!

Nick L. · « **Reply #76 on:** 03/19/2008 09:48 pm »

LIFTOFF!! GO BABY GO!

Nick L. · « **Reply #77 on:** 03/19/2008 09:48 pm »

Maverick · « **Reply #78 on:** 03/19/2008 09:50 pm »

Bad webcast? Images look very low quality?

DaveS · « **Reply #79 on:** 03/19/2008 09:52 pm »

Quote

Maverick - 19/3/2008 11:50 PM

Bad webcast? Images look very low quality?

Bad weather conditions at the launch site for optical tracking.

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #80 on:** 03/19/2008 09:53 pm »

T+5:30. Confirmation of first sage and successful jettison of the Payload Fairing. Telemetry looks good. 6 minute burn on the second stage engine. SECO in 2 minutes.

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #81 on:** 03/19/2008 09:55 pm »

SECO.

DarthVader · « **Reply #82 on:** 03/19/2008 09:55 pm »

2nd stage shutdown confirmed.

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #83 on:** 03/19/2008 09:57 pm »

Second stage separation confirmed!

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #84 on:** 03/19/2008 09:58 pm »

Launch replays:

Finn · « **Reply #85 on:** 03/19/2008 09:59 pm »

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #86 on:** 03/19/2008 10:00 pm »

Satellite now orbital.

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #87 on:** 03/19/2008 10:01 pm »

Block DM 1st Burn shutdown.

Andrewwski · « **Reply #88 on:** 03/19/2008 10:02 pm »

Launch video uploading to the video section.

Quality of the webcast was awful though. :frown:

Satori · « **Reply #89 on:** 03/19/2008 10:03 pm »

Does anyone have the exact launch time in format 2248:XX.XXXUTC? Thanks!

Nick L. · « **Reply #90 on:** 03/19/2008 10:04 pm »

Thanks Ford for covering for the shots. My computer locked up hard right after liftoff and I couldn't get any more shots.

shuttlepilot · « **Reply #91 on:** 03/19/2008 10:06 pm »

Oh god, terrible quality of webcast + terrible performance of webcast + polish internet provider = tragedy... Thanks for shots.

William Graham · « **Reply #92 on:** 03/19/2008 10:10 pm »

Quote

Satori - 19/3/2008 11:03 PM

Does anyone have the exact launch time in format 2248:XX.XXXUTC? Thanks!

I think the PAO said 22:47:59, but the sound on mine is absolute c**p (and about 30 seconds out of synch with the video), so I don't know for sure.

edkyle99 · « **Reply #93 on:** 03/19/2008 10:24 pm »

I've got a really good quality webcast via Windows Media Player. My Real Video link was bad, so I switched media players.

Sea Launch is putting on a good program, IMO, with informative info from Paula and an interesting interview with the CEO of DirecTV.

The program also included a look at the "faces" of Sea Launch.

- Ed Kyle

stockman · « **Reply #94 on:** 03/19/2008 10:28 pm »

3 minutes to second block DM burn.

Maverick · « **Reply #95 on:** 03/19/2008 10:29 pm »

Quote

edkyle99 - 19/3/2008 6:24 PM

I've got a really good quality webcast via Windows Media Player. My Real Video link was bad, so I switched media players.

- Ed Kyle

That's not much use unless you got some launch images, or recorded it?

William Graham · « **Reply #96 on:** 03/19/2008 10:29 pm »

Quote

edkyle99 - 19/3/2008 11:24 PM

I've got a really good quality webcast via Windows Media Player. My Real Video link was bad, so I switched media players.

My WMP feed was bad, and I couldn't even get the RP link. Sound is now about five minutes out of synch, and it is getting annoying. I think that is a problem at my end though. In all, this coverage is making me think that Falcon DF2 was perfect in terms of webcast quality.

Apart from that, it was a good launch.

edkyle99 · « **Reply #97 on:** 03/19/2008 10:33 pm »

Here's one.

- Ed Kyle

edkyle99 · « **Reply #98 on:** 03/19/2008 10:36 pm »

edkyle99 · « **Reply #99 on:** 03/19/2008 10:38 pm »

stockman · « **Reply #100 on:** 03/19/2008 10:39 pm »

Shutdown.

edkyle99 · « **Reply #101 on:** 03/19/2008 10:39 pm »

Block DM shutdown on time at 23:38:10 UTC.

edkyle99 · « **Reply #102 on:** 03/19/2008 10:41 pm »

Six or so minutes to separation.

edkyle99 · « **Reply #103 on:** 03/19/2008 10:50 pm »

Spacecraft separation!

Satori · « **Reply #104 on:** 03/19/2008 10:50 pm »

Spacecraft separation!!!! Good work Sea Launch!!!!

Lee Jay · « **Reply #105 on:** 03/19/2008 10:52 pm »

Okay, so this is over for SeaLaunch. But this satellite isn't in Geostationary orbit. Who monitors and controls the firing of the apogee stage? Boeing?

roy · « **Reply #106 on:** 03/19/2008 10:53 pm »

the satellite in orbit now ?

edkyle99 · « **Reply #107 on:** 03/19/2008 10:53 pm »

Guests viewing launch. Spacecraft acquisition announcement won't occur for some time (about 5 hours from now) due to ground station positioning.

Paula tells us that this was the 250th Block D(M)-series launch.

And yes, this appears to have been a successful Zenit 3SL launch, with successful spacecraft separation into a geosynchronous transfer orbit.

- Ed Kyle

edkyle99 · « **Reply #108 on:** 03/19/2008 11:00 pm »

Speeches have begun.

Mr. Peckham tells us that the orbit achieved was 250 x 36,484.8 km x 0.0 deg, versus a planned 250 x 36,482 km x 0.0 deg.

- Ed Kyle

edkyle99 · « **Reply #109 on:** 03/19/2008 11:06 pm »

Heads of DirecTV and Boeing Satellite Systems offer congratulations.

Everyone is instructed to go buy DirecTV high def right now!

Jim · « **Reply #110 on:** 03/19/2008 11:06 pm »

Quote

Lee Jay - 19/3/2008 7:52 PM

Okay, so this is over for SeaLaunch. But this satellite isn't in Geostationary orbit. Who monitors and controls the firing of the apogee stage? Boeing?

the Spacecraft operator

edkyle99 · « **Reply #111 on:** 03/19/2008 11:12 pm »

End of webcast, with a launch replay showing that it really was hard to see due to poor visibility.

marsavian · « **Reply #112 on:** 03/19/2008 11:26 pm »

Quote

edkyle99 - 19/3/2008 7:12 PM

End of webcast, with a launch replay showing that it really was hard to see due to poor visibility.

It was hard to see because the broadcast turned into a slideshow a couple minutes before the launch where each frame was at least 5sec apart, poor show.

edkyle99 · « **Reply #113 on:** 03/19/2008 11:43 pm »

Quote

marsavian - 19/3/2008 7:26 PM

Quote
edkyle99 - 19/3/2008 7:12 PM

End of webcast, with a launch replay showing that it really was hard to see due to poor visibility.

It was hard to see because the broadcast turned into a slideshow a couple minutes before the launch where each frame was at least 5sec apart, poor show.

Not on my feed. At least not during the first hour of the flight. I saw smooth video until just a couple of minutes before the broadcast ended. I think it may have depended on your location, etc. (I'm in Newfoundland, Canada again, in a hotel.)

- Ed Kyle

stockman · « **Reply #114 on:** 03/19/2008 11:50 pm »

Quote

edkyle99 - 19/3/2008 8:43 PM

Quote
marsavian - 19/3/2008 7:26 PM

Quote
edkyle99 - 19/3/2008 7:12 PM

End of webcast, with a launch replay showing that it really was hard to see due to poor visibility.

It was hard to see because the broadcast turned into a slideshow a couple minutes before the launch where each frame was at least 5sec apart, poor show.

Not on my feed. At least not during the first hour of the flight. I saw smooth video until just a couple of minutes before the broadcast ended. I think it may have depended on your location, etc. (I'm in Newfoundland, Canada again, in a hotel.)

- Ed Kyle

Same here. I am in Southern Ontario and my feed was very smooth.

DarthVader · « **Reply #115 on:** 03/19/2008 11:57 pm »

Quote

marsavian - 19/3/2008 5:26 PM

Quote
edkyle99 - 19/3/2008 7:12 PM

End of webcast, with a launch replay showing that it really was hard to see due to poor visibility.

It was hard to see because the broadcast turned into a slideshow a couple minutes before the launch where each frame was at least 5sec apart, poor show.

Had the same issue (Vancouver, Canada), in fact I totaly missed the liftoff since I tried to restart the stream .... dumb move I know

Maa2p · « **Reply #116 on:** 03/20/2008 12:03 am »

This may be too early to ask, but is D12 on the schedule yet? The president spoke of it during his speech.

Nick L. · « **Reply #117 on:** 03/20/2008 12:10 am »

Congrats to Sea Launch! Job well done.

DarthVader · « **Reply #118 on:** 03/20/2008 03:43 am »

Two pictures of the launch have been posted on SeaLaunch web site:

http://www.boeing.com/special/sea-launch/mission_directv-11/gallery/directv11_launch_wide.html
http://www.boeing.com/special/sea-launch/mission_directv-11/gallery/directv11_launch_tall.html

Satori · « **Reply #119 on:** 03/20/2008 10:19 am »

From a Boeing news relese:

ST. LOUIS, March 20, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has received the first on-orbit signals from its DIRECTV 11 satellite, indicating that the satellite is healthy and operating normally. A ground station in Hartebeesthoek, South Africa, reported spacecraft acquisition at 1:44 a.m. Eastern time, as scheduled.

The newest satellite for DIRECTV Inc. was launched on a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket on March 19 from Sea Launch's equatorial launch site in the Pacific Ocean.

"The successful launch of DIRECTV 11 marks another milestone in the evolution of DIRECTV as the leading satellite TV service and provider of high-definition programming," said Rômulo Pontual, DIRECTV's chief technology officer. "Through our long collaboration with Boeing and our commitment to deploying the most advanced technology, we are in the best competitive position to meet the growing demand for high-definition services and provide the most compelling viewing experience for our more than 16.8 million customers."

DIRECTV 11 is a Boeing 702 satellite with onboard technology that will enable DIRECTV to continue expanding its industry-leading lineup of quality High-Definition Television (HDTV) programming to its U.S. customers. DIRECTV 11, together with the DIRECTV 10 satellite launched last year, will provide DIRECTV with the capacity for 150 national HDTV channels and 1,500 local channels.

"Boeing and DIRECTV are celebrating 15 years of collaboration, and I cannot think of a better way to mark this occasion than with the successful delivery, launch and signal acquisition of the ninth satellite we've built for DIRECTV," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "We've come a long way since Boeing's first DIRECTV satellite, and we remain committed to their success as we work to deliver the next in the series of HDTV satellites."

DIRECTV 1, launched in 1993, boasted a solar wingspan of 86 feet and an innovative graphite-antenna system featuring transmit and receive reflectors with a contoured surface that required only one feedhorn antenna to provide an optimal signal. Today's DIRECTV 11 has a wingspan measuring more than 157 feet and supplements its antenna system with spot-beam technology capable of concentrating the broadcast signal to specific markets.

DIRECTV 11 is the second of three next-generation Boeing-built satellites that are helping to expand DIRECTV's market by providing technology that brings the crystal-clear sharpness of satellite-delivered HDTV into millions of households.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide.

Herb Schaltegger · « **Reply #120 on:** 03/20/2008 11:42 am »

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marsavian - 19/3/2008 7:26 PM

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edkyle99 - 19/3/2008 7:12 PM

End of webcast, with a launch replay showing that it really was hard to see due to poor visibility.

It was hard to see because the broadcast turned into a slideshow a couple minutes before the launch where each frame was at least 5sec apart, poor show.

It looked pretty good on DirecTV channel 573. Too bad it wasn't in high-definition though. :p

Herb Schaltegger · « **Reply #121 on:** 03/20/2008 11:44 am »

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Maa2p - 19/3/2008 8:03 PM

This may be too early to ask, but is D12 on the schedule yet? The president spoke of it during his speech.

D12 was ordered as a ground spare but current announced plans are for a launch sometime in the 3rd or 4th quarter 2009. However, no announcement of a launch carrier has yet been made, so I suspect that DirecTV is in negotiations with with the major launch carriers right now.

anik · « **Reply #122 on:** 03/20/2008 02:15 pm »

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Satori - 20/3/2008 2:03 AM

Does anyone have the exact launch time in format 2248:XX.XXXUTC?

22:47:59.11 UTC, according to report of the Russian in Sea Launch webcast.

jacqmans · « **Reply #123 on:** 03/21/2008 08:50 am »

Boeing DIRECTV 11 Satellite Receives 1st Signal Following Successful Launch

ST. LOUIS, March 20, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has received the first on-orbit signals from its DIRECTV 11 satellite, indicating that the satellite is healthy and operating normally. A ground station in Hartebeesthoek, South Africa, reported spacecraft acquisition at 1:44 a.m. Eastern time, as scheduled.

The newest satellite for DIRECTV Inc. was launched on a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket on March 19 from Sea Launch's equatorial launch site in the Pacific Ocean.

"The successful launch of DIRECTV 11 marks another milestone in the evolution of DIRECTV as the leading satellite TV service and provider of high-definition programming," said Rômulo Pontual, DIRECTV's chief technology officer. "Through our long collaboration with Boeing and our commitment to deploying the most advanced technology, we are in the best competitive position to meet the growing demand for high-definition services and provide the most compelling viewing experience for our more than 16.8 million customers."

DIRECTV 11 is a Boeing 702 satellite with onboard technology that will enable DIRECTV to continue expanding its industry-leading lineup of quality High-Definition Television (HDTV) programming to its U.S. customers. DIRECTV 11, together with the DIRECTV 10 satellite launched last year, will provide DIRECTV with the capacity for 150 national HDTV channels and 1,500 local channels.

"Boeing and DIRECTV are celebrating 15 years of collaboration, and I cannot think of a better way to mark this occasion than with the successful delivery, launch and signal acquisition of the ninth satellite we've built for DIRECTV," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "We've come a long way since Boeing's first DIRECTV satellite, and we remain committed to their success as we work to deliver the next in the series of HDTV satellites."

DIRECTV 1, launched in 1993, boasted a solar wingspan of 86 feet and an innovative graphite-antenna system featuring transmit and receive reflectors with a contoured surface that required only one feedhorn antenna to provide an optimal signal. Today's DIRECTV 11 has a wingspan measuring more than 157 feet and supplements its antenna system with spot-beam technology capable of concentrating the broadcast signal to specific markets.

DIRECTV 11 is the second of three next-generation Boeing-built satellites that are helping to expand DIRECTV's market by providing technology that brings the crystal-clear sharpness of satellite-delivered HDTV into millions of households.

iamlucky13 · « **Reply #124 on:** 03/21/2008 04:48 pm »

Unrelated question that perhaps no one will be able to answer, but I thought I'd ask:

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jacqmans - 21/3/2008 2:50 AM

Today's DIRECTV 11 has a wingspan measuring more than 157 feet and supplements its antenna system with spot-beam technology capable of concentrating the broadcast signal to specific markets.

Does that mean there will be dead zones? Or perhaps you can use a smaller dish in targeted areas?

DarthVader · « **Reply #125 on:** 03/21/2008 06:46 pm »

MajorTom, one of the Orbiter's addons developer, have released (pretty much on time) a first version of his Sea Launch addon:

http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=3277

This version allow to simulate the flight of DirectTV-11 and it works relatively well :-)

jacqmans · « **Reply #126 on:** 07/22/2008 08:57 pm »

Boeing Delivers 4th High-Definition TV Satellite to DIRECTV

ST. LOUIS, July 21, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that DIRECTV Inc. has taken on-orbit delivery of the DIRECTV 11 satellite, which will continue to expand DIRECTV's industry-leading lineup of high-definition television channels and services to millions of households in the United States.

Sea Launch launched DIRECTV 11 March 19 on a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket from the launch services company's equatorial launch site in the Pacific Ocean. (Boeing is a 40 percent partner in Sea Launch.) The newest spacecraft in DIRECTV's fleet will begin transmitting additional national high-definition signals for the nation's leading satellite TV provider, and expand DIRECTV's HD platform to up to 150 national channels and local HD channels in well over 100 markets by this fall.

"The Boeing and DIRECTV teams worked together to ensure that this satellite and its systems are ready to begin broadcasting television programs in high definition into homes throughout the United States," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "The spacecraft was handed over eight days ahead of schedule, and we are pleased to have a role in assisting DIRECTV with the expansion of their service to customers."

DIRECTV 11 is the fourth Ka-band Boeing 702 satellite built for DIRECTV at Boeing's satellite manufacturing facility in El Segundo, Calif. The facility encompasses approximately 1 million square feet and is the largest state-of-the-art dedicated satellite factory in the world.