Author Topic: LIVE: Sea Launch: DIRECTV-11 launch - March 19 (Read 51281 times)

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

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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 »

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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)