View Full Version : Sixto Report-D11 Status: In Operation July 31, 2008
Earl Bonovich
03-19-08, 06:52 PM
Now that the SeaLaunch segment is complete...
Let's restart the discussion here... and continue tracking D11 until we see the "signal strength" on our boxes for 99 #2
Edit: (tom robertson) D11 is live, sending test signals, will have MPEG4 versions of MPEG2 HD channels July 31 and new channels starting August 14!
Latest Official "Estimated" go live date is 3Q of 2008.
Synopsis updated 7/31/2008 - Orbit Location (TLE) dated 8/1/2008
Status of the DirecTV-11 (D11) Satellite:
D11 is parked and "live".
On 7/31/2008, the 9 legacy HD channels are MPEG4 (Ka) on D11:
206/73 - ESPN HD MPEG4(Ka)/MPEG2(Ku) 720p
209/72 - ESPN2 HD MPEG4(Ka)/MPEG2(Ku) 720p
245/75 - TNT HD MPEG4(Ka)/MPEG2(Ku) 1080i
259/74 - Universal HD MPEG4(Ka)/MPEG2(Ku) 1080i
281/76 - HD Theater (was Discovery HD Theater) MPEG4(Ka)/MPEG2(Ku) 1080i
306/79 - HDNet MPEG4(Ka)/MPEG2(Ku) 1080i
501/70 - HBO East HD MPEG4(Ka)/MPEG2(Ku) 1080i
537/71 - Showtime East HD MPEG4(Ka)/MPEG2(Ku) 1080i
552/78 - HDNet Movies (a,u) MPEG4(Ka)/MPEG2(Ku) 1080i
On 8/14/2008, expecting that there will be 35 new HD channels. Informed analysis seems to indicate 12 new full-time RSN's, 6 new HD PPV, and 17 new national HD including Showtime Extreme HD, Showtime Showcase HD, Planet Green HD, and ABC Family HD.
Progress of DirecTV-11:
On 3/19/2008, DirecTV-11 launched from the equator via SeaLaunch (http://www.sea-launch.com/) towards a circular "geostationary orbit" (35,786km altitude at the equator) at the "test" location of 99.4°. After launch, the satellite was in an elliptical (non-circular) orbit at the equator with a low (perigee) altitude of 243km and a high (apogee) altitude of 36,067km.
From 3/19/2008 thru late-May, the low point of D11's orbit (the "perigee") was raised day-by-day to the geostationary altitude of 35,786km, while at the same time conserving fuel throughout the process.
On 5/25/2008 (Day#67), D11 arrived at the 99.4° geostationary "test" location. Testing was expected at 99.4° for up to 30 days.
On 6/13/2008 (Day#86), D11 arrived at a 2nd test location (at 100.7°) to test an "experimental BSS payload" for the interaction of 17/24 GHz BSS with regular operations at 101°.
On 7/7/2008 (Day#109), the FCC approved a two day test (between 7/7/2008-7/11/2008) to conduct an in-orbit spot beam test at 100.7°.
Until 7/18/2008 (Day#120), D11 was testing an "experimental BSS payload" for up to 120 days (from 5/15/2008) at 100.7° (details in FCC Filing 6/13/2008 below).
On 7/21/2008 (Day#123), Boeing announced that DirecTV had taken on-orbit delivery of D11 (http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q3/080721b_nr.html).
On 7/21/2008 (Day#123), D11 reached the 99.2° location with D11 listed in the HD receiver satellite transponder signal strength screens as "99(c)" on the HR2x DVR's and "99(a)" on the H2x receivers.
On 7/22/2008 (Day#124), D11 began transmitting a solid signal on all 14 national transponders (1-14) and transponder tuning/tweaking is underway.
On 7/26/2008 (Day#128), it appears that 40 hidden "test" channels (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1698269&postcount=141) are now transmitting from D11: the 9 Legacy HD channels, 8 HD DNS (East & West), 1 "Movie's Now", 12 HD RSN's now full-time, 6 PPV HD and 2 other HD (Toon, MSG) moving from D10, and 2 new HD (Fox News HD, ABC Family HD). "Test" channels are only viewable with special engineering cards.
On 7/28/2008, DirecTV announced the initial D11 rollout plan (http://directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=P4800004). By the end of July, the 9 legacy HD channels will be available in Ka MPEG4.
On 7/28/2008, DirecTV announced 44 new HD Local-in-Local Markets: http://directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=P4800002
Awaiting new national HD channels on 8/14/2008.
The current DirecTV HD listing can be found here: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1191378#post1191378
Please post any questions to this thread. There are some very smart and knowledgeable experts lurking ... :)
Possible plans for DirecTV-11 (original):
Balancing of HD channels between DirecTV-10 (D10) and DirecTV-11 (D11)
Movement of the 9 Legacy Ku MPEG2 national HD channels to Ka MPEG4
74 - Universal HD
78 - HDNet Movies
79 - HDNet
206/73 - ESPN HD
209/72 - ESPN2 HD
245/75 - TNT HD
281/76 - HD Theater (was Discovery HD Theater)
501/70/509 - HBO East HD
537/71/543 - Showtime East HD
Add additional HBO HD premium channels (per the previous HBO announcement)
All of the future premium sports packages will be Ka MPEG4 (ex: Sunday Ticket, ...)
East and West HD DNS' all to Ka MPEG4 (West MPEG4 "live" now on Ku)
99 - PPV HD (MPEG2) eventually shut down
A few HD channels may be waiting for D11 to be fully tested before added to D10
Many more HD channels will be available (Travel Channel HD, Fox News HD, more HD movie premiums, ...)
Here's some possible HD Channels (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=132095) (Thanks Smiddy!)
New HD VOD options (pre-downloaded content to DirecTV managed harddisk space)
Many more HD Local-In-Local (at least 121 HD LIL's by year-end 2008 - 88% of the U.S.)
Two Line Element (TLE) Format:
A NORAD two-line element (TLE) set consists of two 69-character lines of data which describe in detail a spacecraft's trajectory around the earth. Calculated and published by the U.S. government regularly.
http://celestrak.com/columns/v04n03/
http://www.space-track.org/tle_format.html)
Current D11 TLE & Orbital History:
DirecTV-11(TLE135)
1 32729U 08013A 08214.23405301 -.00000141 00000-0 00000+0 0 1356
2 32729 000.0208 092.0612 0001405 133.9712 069.1766 01.00270629 1464
NORAD # 32729
COSPAR designator 2008-013-A
Epoch (UTC) 08-01-2008 05:37:02
Orbit # at Epoch 146
Inclination 0.021
RA of A. Node 92.061
Eccentricity 0.0001405
Argument of Perigee 133.971
Revs per day 1.00270629
Period 23h 56m 06s (1436.10 min)
Semi-major axis 42 165 km
Perigee x Apogee 35 781 x 35 793 km
Element number / age 135 / 0 day(s)
Lon 99.2163° W
Lat 0.0243° S
Alt (km) 35 784.310
Perigee(bottom of orbit) x Apogee(top of orbit) - Target is 35,786 x 35,786 km (Circular)
TLE#135(08-01-2008 05:37:02) 35,781 x 35,793 km (+47.1 hours,at 134.5 days, 99.22°)
TLE#134(07-30-2008 06:33:57) 35,779 x 35,795 km (+47.6 hours,at 132.5 days, 99.21°)
TLE#133(07-28-2008 06:57:49) 35,779 x 35,795 km (+19.5 hours,at 130.6 days, 99.21°)
TLE#132(07-27-2008 11:26:19) 35,779 x 35,795 km (+27.4 hours,at 129.7 days, 99.21°)
TLE#131(07-26-2008 08:01:32) 35,779 x 35,794 km (+ 0.0 hours,at 128.6 days, 99.20°)
TLE#130(07-26-2008 08:01:32) 35,767 x 35,783 km (+113.6hours,at 128.6 days, 99.21°)
TLE#129(07-21-2008 14:24:00) 35,778 x 35,794 km (+147.6hours,at 123.9 days, 99.21°)
TLE#128(07-15-2008 10:46:32) 35,785 x 35,787 km (+96.6 hours,at 117.7 days, 100.68°)
TLE#129(07-11-2008 10:11:30) 35,784 x 35,790 km (+22.0 hours,at 113.7 days, 100.73°)
TLE#127(07-10-2008 12:13:58) 35,784 x 35,790 km (+25.1 hours,at 112.8 days, 100.72°)
TLE#126(07-09-2008 11:08:35) 35,784 x 35,790 km (+22.1 hours,at 111.7 days, 100.72°)
TLE#125(07-08-2008 13:01:34) 35,787 x 35,787 km (+ 5.8 hours,at 110.8 days, 100.70°)
TLE#124(07-08-2008 07:15:17) 35,784 x 35,790 km (+47.5 hours,at 110.6 days, 100.71°)
TLE#123(07-06-2008 07:42:35) 35,784 x 35,790 km (+48.8 hours,at 108.6 days, 100.70°)
TLE#122(07-04-2008 06:55:23) 35,784 x 35,790 km (+19.9 hours,at 106.6 days, 100.70°)
TLE#121(07-03-2008 10:59:40) 35,784 x 35,790 km (+46.7 hours,at 105.7 days, 100.70°)
TLE#120(07-01-2008 12:15:56) 35,784 x 35,790 km (+26.4 hours,at 103.8 days, 100.70°)
TLE#119(06-30-2008 09:54:50) 35,784 x 35,790 km (+45.4 hours,at 102.7 days, 100.70°)
TLE#118(06-28-2008 12:32:34) 35,784 x 35,790 km (+27.6 hours,at 100.8 days, 100.70°)
TLE#117(06-27-2008 08:55:40) 35,784 x 35,790 km (+44.0 hours, at 99.6 days, 100.70°)
TLE#116(06-25-2008 12:58:19) 35,784 x 35,790 km (+ 4.9 hours, at 97.8 days, 100.70°)
TLE#115(06-25-2008 08:06:13) 35,783 x 35,791 km (+20.0 hours, at 97.6 days, 100.70°)
TLE#114(06-24-2008 12:07:52) 35,784 x 35,791 km (+22.9 hours, at 96.8 days, 100.70°)
TLE#113(06-23-2008 13:11:09) 35,781 x 35,791 km (+ 8.0 hours, at 95.8 days, 100.69°)
TLE#112(06-23-2008 05:12:38) 35,782 x 35,791 km (+ 1.7 hours, at 95.5 days, 100.68°)
TLE#111(06-23-2008 03:28:49) 35,782 x 35,791 km (+12.4 hours, at 95.4 days, 100.68°)
TLE#110(06-22-2008 15:07:36) 35,781 x 35,791 km (+50.1 hours, at 94.9 days, 100.69°)
TLE#109(06-20-2008 12:58:38) 35,783 x 35,790 km (+51.8 hours, at 92.8 days, 100.70°)
TLE#108(06-18-2008 09:13:27) 35,783 x 35,790 km (+42.3 hours, at 90.7 days, 100.69°)
TLE#107(06-16-2008 14:56:50) 35,783 x 35,790 km (+25.7 hours, at 88.9 days, 100.70°)
TLE#106(06-15-2008 13:13:20) 35,783 x 35,790 km (+ 1.3 hours, at 87.8 days, 100.70°)
TLE#105(06-15-2008 11:58:07) 35,783 x 35,790 km (+19.6 hours, at 87.8 days, 100.70°)
TLE#104(06-14-2008 16:20:15) 35,784 x 35,789 km (+25.9 hours, at 87.0 days, 100.70°)
TLE#103(06-13-2008 14:24:00) 35,790 x 35,800 km (+28.5 hours, at 85.9 days, 100.69°)
TLE#102(06-12-2008 09:52:32) 35,796 x 35,839 km (+ 1.4 hours, at 84.7 days, 100.59°)
TLE#101(06-12-2008 08:27:28) 35,800 x 35,858 km (+18.0 hours, at 84.6 days, 100.58°)
TLE#100(06-11-2008 14:29:40) 35,801 x 35,858 km (+53.0 hours, at 83.9 days, 100.08°)
TLE#99 (06-09-2008 09:30:24) 35,787 x 35,788 km (+41.5 hours, at 81.7 days, 99.48°)
TLE#98 (06-07-2008 16:01:47) 35,786 x 35,789 km (+13.1 hours, at 79.9 days, 99.47°)
TLE#97 (06-07-2008 02:57:49) 35,786 x 35,789 km (+ 7.1 hours, at 79.4 days, 99.47°)
TLE#96 (06-06-2008 19:53:36) 35,786 x 35,789 km (+11.7 hours, at 79.1 days, 99.46°)
TLE#95 (06-06-2008 08:10:36) 35,787 x 35,788 km (+45.2 hours, at 78.6 days, 99.46°)
TLE#94 (06-04-2008 10:56:07) 35,787 x 35,788 km (+41.5 hours, at 76.7 days, 99.45°)
TLE#92 (06-02-2008 17:23:25) 35,787 x 35,787 km (+ 7.6 hours, at 75.0 days, 99.44°)
TLE#93 (06-02-2008 09:46:47) 35,786 x 35,788 km (+24.4 hours, at 74.7 days, 99.44°)
TLE#91 (06-01-2008 09:21:55) 35,786 x 35,788 km (+24.8 hours, at 73.7 days, 99.43°)
TLE#90 (05-31-2008 08:32:28) 35,786 x 35,788 km (+21.6 hours, at 72.6 days, 99.43°)
TLE#89 (05-30-2008 10:59:25) 35,786 x 35,788 km (+24.3 hours, at 71.7 days, 99.42°)
TLE#88 (05-29-2008 10:43:26) 35,786 x 35,788 km (+25.0 hours, at 70.7 days, 99.42°)
TLE#87 (05-28-2008 09:42:18) 35,786 x 35,788 km (+23.3 hours, at 69.7 days, + 1km)
TLE#86 (05-27-2008 10:23:29) 35,785 x 35,789 km (+45.8 hours, at 68.7 days, - 1km)
TLE#85 (05-25-2008 12:37:10) 35,786 x 35,792 km (+27.0 hours, at 66.8 days, + 39km)
TLE#84 (05-24-2008 09:39:35) 35,747 x 35,804 km (+20.0 hours, at 65.7 days, + 8km)
TLE#83 (05-23-2008 13:38:44) 35,739 x 35,884 km (+ 1.6 hours, at 64.8 days, - 9km)
TLE#82 (05-23-2008 12:00:00) 35,748 x 35,888 km (+24.2 hours, at 64.8 days, +148km)
TLE#81 (05-22-2008 11:46:38) 35,600 x 36,052 km (+ 1.3 hours, at 63.8 days, +159km)
TLE#80 (05-22-2008 10:28:36) 35,441 x 36,299 km (+24.8 hours, at 63.7 days, - 55km)
TLE#79 (05-21-2008 09:39:31) 35,496 x 36,217 km (+ 0.0 hours, at 62.7 days, + 0km)
TLE#78 (05-21-2008 09:39:31) 35,496 x 36,217 km (+22.8 hours, at 62.7 days, +146km)
TLE#77 (05-20-2008 10:51:25) 35,350 x 36,345 km (+ 9.4 hours, at 61.7 days, - 2km)
TLE#76 (05-20-2008 01:27:30) 35,352 x 36,444 km (+11.9 hours, at 61.3 days, +146km)
TLE#75 (05-19-2008 13:35:22) 35,206 x 36,441 km (+57.5 hours, at 60.8 days, +318km)
TLE#74 (05-17-2008 04:04:35) 34,888 x 36,903 km (+ 9.2 hours, at 58.4 days, + 95km)
TLE#73 (05-16-2008 18:54:33) 34,793 x 36,906 km (+30.5 hours, at 58.1 days, +183km)
TLE#72 (05-15-2008 12:22:25) 34,610 x 37,078 km (+23.0 hours, at 56.8 days, +187km)
TLE#71 (05-14-2008 13:20:38) 34,423 x 37,211 km (+36.0 hours, at 55.8 days, + 58km)
TLE#70 (05-13-2008 01:23:27) 34,365 x 37,443 km (+ 0.0 hours, at 54.3 days, +187km)
TLE#69 (05-13-2008 01:23:27) 34,178 x 37,605 km (+38.1 hours, at 54.3 days, + 67km)
TLE#68 (05-11-2008 11:17:31) 34,111 x 37,722 km (+39.6 hours, at 52.7 days, +123km)
TLE#67 (05-09-2008 19:41:00) 33,988 x 37,798 km (+16.9 hours, at 51.1 days, +264km)
TLE#66 (05-09-2008 02:49:27) 33,724 x 38,069 km (+23.5 hours, at 50.4 days, - 35km)
TLE#65 (05-08-2008 03:18:37) 33,759 x 38,125 km (+13.7 hours, at 49.4 days, +163km)
TLE#64 (05-07-2008 13:35:43) 33,596 x 38,136 km (+21.8 hours, at 48.8 days, +138km)
TLE#63 (05-06-2008 15:49:00) 33,458 x 38,289 km (+12.9 hours, at 47.9 days, + 18km)
TLE#62 (05-06-2008 02:52:37) 33,440 x 38,444 km (+14.9 hours, at 47.4 days, +164km)
TLE#61 (05-05-2008 12:00:00) 33,276 x 38,434 km (+53.6 hours, at 46.8 days, +300km)
TLE#60 (05-03-2008 06:26:40) 32,976 x 38,782 km (+42.4 hours, at 44.5 days, +244km)
TLE#57 (05-01-2008 12:00:00) 32,732 x 38,987 km (+ 1.1 hours, at 42.8 days, + 14km)
TLE#59 (05-01-2008 10:53:37) 32,718 x 38,919 km (+ 2.0 hours, at 42.7 days, - 4km)
TLE#58 (05-01-2008 08:56:17) 32,722 x 38,942 km (+ 4.7 hours, at 42.6 days, - 10km)
TLE#56 (05-01-2008 04:12:03) 32,732 x 39,025 km (+ 5.9 hours, at 42.4 days, + 26km)
TLE#55 (04-30-2008 22:20:17) 32,706 x 39,086 km (+ 7.7 hours, at 42.2 days, +108km)
TLE#54 (04-30-2008 14:38:43) 32,598 x 39,086 km (+17.8 hours, at 41.9 days, +313km)
TLE#53 (04-29-2008 20:49:59) 32,285 x 39,398 km (+33.8 hours, at 41.1 days, - 17km)
TLE#52 (04-28-2008 10:59:43) 32,302 x 39,428 km (+66.2 hours, at 39.7 days, +436km)
TLE#50 (04-25-2008 16:48:00) 31,867 x 39,844 km (+ .4 hours, at 37.0 days, + 1km)
TLE#51 (04-25-2008 16:26:46) 31,866 x 39,844 km (+23.6 hours, at 37.0 days, +125km)
TLE#49 (04-24-2008 16:48:00) 31,742 x 39,996 km (+ 3.0 hours, at 36.0 days, + 82km)
TLE#48 (04-24-2008 13:48:32) 31,660 x 39,991 km (+34.6 hours, at 35.8 days, +291km)
TLE#47 (04-23-2008 03:14:51) 31,369 x 40,366 km (+30.1 hours, at 34.4 days, + 60km)
TLE#46 (04-21-2008 21:09:43) 31,309 x 40,411 km (+18.5 hours, at 33.2 days, +194km)
TLE#45 (04-21-2008 02:40:29) 31,115 x 40,623 km (+45.1 hours, at 32.4 days, +232km)
TLE#44 (04-19-2008 05:36:47) 30,883 x 40,871 km (+34.0 hours, at 30.5 days, +268km)
TLE#43 (04-17-2008 19:35:55) 30,615 x 41,065 km (+22.0 hours, at 29.1 days)
TLE#41 (04-16-2008 21:36:00) 30,594 x 41,101 km (+11.6 hours, at 28.2 days)
TLE#42 (04-16-2008 09:58:47) 30,531 x 41,110 km (+12.4 hours, at 27.7 days)
TLE#40 (04-15-2008 21:36:00) 30,507 x 41,115 km (+12.8 hours, at 27.2 days)
TLE#39 (04-15-2008 08:47:18) 30,387 x 41,123 km (+12.4 hours, at 26.6 days)
TLE#38 (04-14-2008 20:24:00) 30,345 x 41,133 km (+ 6.0 hours, at 26.1 days)
TLE#37 (04-14-2008 14:24:00) 30,244 x 41,132 km (+24.3 hours, at 25.9 days)
TLE#36 (04-13-2008 14:01:40) 30,244 x 41,142 km (+ 0.0 hours, at 24.9 days)
TLE#35 (04-13-2008 14:01:40) 30,245 x 41,151 km (+23.8 hours, at 24.9 days)
TLE#34 (04-12-2008 14:11:58) 30,007 x 41,174 km (+23.7 hours, at 23.9 days)
TLE#33 (04-11-2008 14:29:18) 29,861 x 41,195 km (+23.7 hours, at 22.9 days)
TLE#32 (04-10-2008 14:45:58) 29,864 x 41,198 km (+23.7 hours, at 21.9 days)
TLE#31 (04-09-2008 15:06:01) 29,723 x 41,211 km (+ 2.4 hours, at 20.9 days)
TLE#30 (04-09-2008 12:42:41) 29,623 x 41,226 km (+25.8 hours, at 20.8 days)
TLE#29 (04-08-2008 10:52:07) 29,622 x 41,228 km (+19.0 hours, at 19.7 days)
TLE#28 (04-07-2008 15:50:52) 29,622 x 41,228 km (+ 0.0 hours, at 18.9 days)
TLE#27 (04-07-2008 15:50:51) 29,621 x 41,228 km (+23.6 hours, at 18.9 days)
TLE#26 (04-06-2008 16:13:19) 29,621 x 41,228 km (+ 2.9 hours, at 17.9 days)
TLE#25 (04-06-2008 13:20:15) 29,621 x 41,228 km (+20.7 hours, at 17.8 days)
TLE#24 (04-05-2008 16:35:47) 29,621 x 41,228 km (+ 3.7 hours, at 17.0 days)
TLE#23 (04-05-2008 12:54:59) 29,622 x 41,228 km (+12.9 hours, at 16.8 days)
TLE#22 (04-05-2008 00:00:00) 29,624 x 41,227 km (+ 6.2 hours, at 16.3 days)
TLE#20 (04-04-2008 17:49:08) 30,207 x 41,363 km (+ .3 hours, at 16.0 days)
TLE#19 (04-04-2008 17:31:12) 25,710 x 41,156 km (+ .5 hours, at 16.0 days)
TLE#21 (04-04-2008 16:59:06) 29,456 x 41,232 km (+62.6 hours, at 16.0 days)
TLE#18 (04-02-2008 02:24:00) 17,361 x 41,067 km (+ 7.8 hours, at 13.4 days)
TLE#17 (04-01-2008 18:36:37) 17,362 x 41,064 km (+18.8 hours, at 13.0 days)
TLE#16 (03-31-2008 23:48:51) 17,362 x 41,069 km (+ 3.4 hours, at 12.3 days)
TLE#15 (03-31-2008 20:24:00) 17,363 x 41,066 km (+40.8 hours, at 12.1 days)
TLE#14 (03-30-2008 03:37:02) 7,387 x 40,988 km (+29.5 hours, at 10.4 days)
TLE#13 (03-28-2008 22:06:17) 7,386 x 40,989 km (+ 5.3 hours, at 9.2 days)
TLE#12 (03-28-2008 16:48:00) 7,388 x 40,988 km (+23.9 hours, at 9.0 days)
TLE#11 (03-27-2008 16:54:12) 7,392 x 40,992 km (+12.2 hours, at 8.0 days)
TLE#10 (03-27-2008 04:40:22) 468 x 40,744 km (+12.2 hours, at 7.5 days)
TLE# 9 (03-26-2008 16:26:42) 468 x 40,742 km (+ 1.9 hours, at 7.0 days)
TLE# 8 (03-26-2008 14:30:15) 469 x 40,742 km (+ .1 hours, at 6.9 days)
TLE# 7 (03-26-2008 14:24:00) 474 x 40,738 km (+33.7 hours, at 6.9 days)
TLE# 6 (03-25-2008 04:40:59) 463 x 38,996 km (+11.9 hours, at 5.5 days)
TLE# 5 (03-24-2008 16:48:00) 473 x 38,991 km (+11.3 hours, at 5.0 days)
TLE# 4 (03-24-2008 05:32:23) 463 x 36,484 km (+87.6 hours, at 4.5 days)
TLE# 3 (03-20-2008 13:54:34) 268 x 36,474 km (+ 8.9 hours, at .9 days)
TLE# 2 (03-20-2008 04:58:00) 273 x 36,476 km (+11.5 hours, at .5 days)
TLE# 1 (03-19-2008 17:30:29) 243 x 36,067 km (Original)9/9/2004 - Original D11 Technical Info - FCC Filing:http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/servlet/ib.page.FetchAttachment?attachment_key=-73809
10/10/2007 & 3/21/2008 - FCC Filings - D11 will transmit from 99.225° W.L. within 18.3-18.8 Ghz Range:
10/10/2007: "DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC has filed a modification application to relocate its DIRECTV 11 satellite from its currently assigned location at 99.2 W.L. to 99.225 W.L., and to operate DIRECTV 11 in the 29.25-29.5 GHz, 28.35-28.6 GHz frequencies for Earth-to-Space transmissions and the 18.3-18.8 GHz frequency band for Space-to-Earth transmissions."
3/21/2008: "On March 19, 2008, the Policy Branch granted with conditions DIRECTV Enterprises, Inc.'s request for modification for the DIRECTV 11 satellite. Accordingly, DIRECTV is authorized to relocate the DIRECTV 11 satellite from the 99.200° W.L. orbital location to the 99.225º W.L. orbital location and to operate at that location in the Ka-band (18.3-18.8/19.7-20.2 GHz (Downlink) and 28.35-28.60/29.25-30.00 GHz (Uplink)). This authorization is granted in accordance with the terms, conditions, and technical specifications set forth in the application, the attachment to the grant, and the Commission's rules."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-608A1.pdf
3/19/2008 - SeaLaunch Mission Page (Photo's Below): http://www.sea-launch.com/past_directv-11.html
3/19/2008 - Launch Video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=QFZjYzk3RI0
5/23/2008 - FCC Filings - D11 to conduct testing from 99.4° W.L. within 18.3-18.8 Ghz Range:
"On May 20, 2008, the Policy Branch granted with conditions DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC (DIRECTV) request for special temporary authority for a period of 30 days commencing on May 25, 2008, to operate the DIRECTV 11 satellite (Call Sign: S2640) from the 99.4° WL orbital location to conduct in-orbit testing using the 18.3-18.8 GHz (Space-to-earth) and 28.35-28.6 GHz and 29.25-29.5 (Earth-to-Space) and to conduct telemetry, tracking and control operations necessary to maintain the satellite at the 99.4° WL orbital location in accordance with the terms, conditions, and technical specifications set forth in DIRECTV’s application, the attachment to grant, and the Commission’s rules."
6/13/2008 - FCC Filings (from 10/31/2007) - Experimental 17/24 GHz BSS Communications Payload on DIRECTV 11:
"In order to help develop operational data on this band, DIRECTV has added to DIRECTV 11 an experimental payload operating in the 17.3-17.7 GHz (downlink) and 24.75-25.15 GHz (uplink) bands. It has been granted an STA to operate at 100.7° W.L. ± 0.3° in order to test the interaction of 17/24 GHz BSS and Direct Broadcast Satellite (“DBS”) operations in close proximity near 101° W.L."
https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=85637&x=
https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=89556&x=
7/1/2008 & 7/7/2008 - FCC Filing - Single Ka-band beam testing at 100.7°:"DIRECTV .. hereby requests Special Temporary Authority ... to conduct in-orbit testing ... of a single Ka-band beam ... at the 100.7° W.L. orbital location for a period of approximately two days during the week of July 7-11."
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/servlet/ib.page.FetchAttachment?attachment_key=-150543
"On July 7, 2008, the Satellite Policy Branch granted special temporary authority to DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC (DIRECTV) for a period of two days between July 7, 2008 and July 11, 2008, to conduct in-orbit testing of DIRECTV 11 satellite using the 29.437 GHz uplink (Earth-to-space) and 18.732 GHz downlink (space-to-Earth) frequencies at the 100.7 W.L. orbital location, using the Los Angeles downlink spot beam ..."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-1637A1.pdf
7/21/2008 - Press Release - DirecTV has taken on-orbit delivery of D11:
"The Boeing Company today announced that DIRECTV Inc. has taken on-orbit delivery of the DIRECTV 11 satellite ..."
http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q3/080721b_nr.html
Tracking (Simulated): http://www.n2yo.com/?s=32729
Note: The n2yo site shows the simulated path of D11 based on the last D11 TLE. "Live Tracking" is not really "live", but rather an extrapolation based on the last TLE. Also, the n2yo site does not always have the latest TLE. There can be several hours before the n2yo site updates with the latest TLE, and there can be several days between official TLE's.
Tracking (Pictorial View): http://heavens-above.com/orbitdisplay.asp?satid=32729&lat=0&lng=0&loc=Unspecified&alt=0&tz=EDT
Launch Photos:
http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_directv-11/gallery/images/dtv11-wide-t.jpg
High Resolution: http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_directv-11/gallery/img_scr/dtv11-wide.jpg
http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_directv-11/gallery/images/dtv11-tall.jpg
High Resolution: http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_directv-11/gallery/img_scr/dtv11-tall.jpg13761
Comparison of D10, Spaceway-1, and D11 Satellites during their move to geostationary:
D10 D10 D10 Sp-1 Sp-1 Sp-1 D11 D11 D11
Day# Low High Mid Low High Mid Low High Mid
1 414 35813 18114 262 34097 17180 243 36067 18155
2 4919 35792 20356
3 4921 36526 20724 1061 34311 17686
4 4923 37127 21025 1058 34315 17687 463 36484 18474
6 8277 37105 22691 1067 37418 19243 463 38996 19730
7 17992 37082 27537 468 40742 20605
8 17994 37083 27539 1066 45481 23274 7392 40992 24192
10 31290 37120 34205 4538 45472 25005 7387 40988 24188
11 34206 37119 35663 10508 45520 28014
12 34100 37245 35673 21197 45466 33332 17363 41066 29215
13 34099 37129 35614 21197 45466 33332 17362 41064 29213
14 34088 37109 35599 25415 45483 35449
15 34085 37109 35597 25415 45470 35443
16 34088 37104 35596 26063 45474 35769 29456 41232 35344
17 34123 37099 35611 26097 45474 35786 29621 41228 35425
18 34179 37102 35641 26097 45475 35786 29621 41228 35425
19 34239 37050 35645 26098 45476 35787 29622 41228 35425
21 34449 37082 35766 26099 45480 35790 29723 41211 35467
24 34759 36906 35833 26218 45281 35750 30007 41174 35591
26 35111 36572 35842 26371 45197 35784 30345 41133 35739
29 34923 36787 35855 26903 44722 35813 30615 41065 35840
31 35603 36177 35890 27317 44295 35806 30883 40871 35877
32 35644 36057 35851 31115 40623 35869
33 35630 36051 35841 31309 40411 35860
34 35663 35964 35814 27342 44275 35809 31369 40366 35868
35 35740 35919 35830 27738 43839 35789 31660 39991 35826
36 35737 35864 35801 31742 39996 35869
37 35739 35876 35808 28120 43443 35782 31867 39844 35856
38 35742 35809 35776 27991 43578 35785
40 35784 35789 35787 28454 43005 35730 32302 39428 35865
41 35784 35787 35786 32285 39398 35842
42 28593 42985 35789 32598 39086 35842
45 29272 42297 35785 32976 38782 35879
47 33276 38434 35855
48 29769 41851 35810 33458 38289 35874
49 29918 41704 35811 33596 38136 35866
51 30054 41420 35737 33988 37798 35893
52 30271 41282 35777
53 34111 37722 35917
54 34365 37443 35904
56 30647 40926 35787 34423 37211 35817
57 30784 40711 35748 34610 37078 35844
58 30934 40566 35750 34793 36906 35850
60 30961 40636 35799
61 35206 36441 35824
62 35350 36345 35848
63 35496 36217 35857
64 31829 39718 35774 35600 36052 35826
65 31988 39539 35764 35739 35884 35812
66 32106 39528 35817 35747 35804 35776
67 32237 39403 35820 35786 35792 35789
69 32573 38958 35766 35785 35789 35787
70 32679 38954 35817 35786 35788 35787
72 33058 38503 35781
73 33136 38497 35817
74 33338 38206 35772
76 33642 37920 35781
77 33752 37796 35774
78 33226 38341 35784
80 33661 37942 35802
81 34201 37322 35762
83 34201 37307 35754
84 34713 36881 35797
85 34782 36735 35759
86 34999 36585 35792
87 34634 36970 35802
88 34847 36770 35809
92 34847 36770 35809
93 35763 35844 35804
97 35784 35790 35787
98 35783 35792 35788
99 35784 35790 35787
101 35784 35790 35787
102 35784 35790 35787
103 35784 35790 35787
105 35785 35789 35787
Placeholder for Additional DirecTV-11 Information
c152driver
03-19-08, 06:55 PM
What happens to the upper stage after separation? Is it forever space junk?
HDTVsportsfan
03-19-08, 06:56 PM
Congrats to DirecTV and SeaLaunch.
Now it's in Boeings hands. Good Luck.
MIAMI1683
03-19-08, 06:57 PM
Ok Boeing it's up to you. Good job Sea Launch
"signal strength" on our boxes for 99 #2
Nothing yet, should I call D*? :D
ziltomil
03-19-08, 06:57 PM
What kind of security do they have to prevent others from hijacking the satellite?
Davenlr
03-19-08, 06:57 PM
I always wondered about that. Think they could point it to deep space and fire off the remaining fuel and get rid of it.
You'd need the secret code: 12345.
ziltomil
03-19-08, 07:01 PM
You'd need the secret code: 12345.
Shhhhh... The DISH guys might hear!
You'd need the secret code: 12345.Wrong. They changed it: 02468.
I'll have control this Friday evening!!!
cartrivision
03-19-08, 07:02 PM
What kind of security do they have to prevent others from hijacking the satellite?
All the control commands are encrypted using ROT13. :D
PlinytheWelder
03-19-08, 07:02 PM
Just aim your remote at D11 and push 0 2 4 6 8 slowly...:up_to_som
You'd need the secret code: 12345.
Isn't is 02468 after a restart? :lol:
curt8403
03-19-08, 07:03 PM
All the control commands are encrypted using ROT13. :D
no they triple encrypt using PGP :sure:
satcomranger
03-19-08, 07:04 PM
Isn't is 02468 after a restart? :lol:
Just don't push the red button
Blurayfan
03-19-08, 07:04 PM
Sea Launch did a great job with the launch. Their estimated Prelaunch orbit figures were either exact with actual orbit or only a difference of 2.8.
Estimated Perigee: 250
Actual Perigee:250
Estimated Apogee: 36482
Actual Apogee: 36484.8
Estimated Inclination: 0
Actual Inclination: 0
D* VP said they now have two months of tasks to do, guess we're looking at about the 60 mark before seeing new channels via D11.
May 20th?? Aww.....shucks...
ctaranto
03-19-08, 07:08 PM
Congrats to Sea Launch. I can now stop refreshing http://www.navigon.net/sl/pictures/ and continued explaination to my co-workers about how excited I am about this rocket.
-Craig
jazzyd971fm
03-19-08, 07:09 PM
Just in time for Memorial Day Weekend !!!!!!!!!!
I am hoping to see Travel Channel HD soon, maybe. :biggthump
SPACEMAKER
03-19-08, 07:12 PM
So far, so good. If someone would have told me just a few months ago that I'd have watched a satellite launch with such a degree of interest I'd have told them they were crazy.
tuff bob
03-19-08, 07:13 PM
So far, so good. If someone would have told me just a few months ago that I'd have watched a satellite launch with such a degree of interest I'd have told them they were crazy.
don't you just love this stuff :lol:
mhayes70
03-19-08, 07:13 PM
Congrats on a picture perfect launch!
HDTVsportsfan
03-19-08, 07:15 PM
Everything was NOMINAL.
The D* VP mentioned that they carry Disney HD (well he was just randomly naming things) someone should tell him it didnt launch yet..........it should though as if scheduled for winter as spring is very very close.
Nice job with the launch BTW. Congrats!!
LameLefty
03-19-08, 07:17 PM
What happens to the upper stage after separation? Is it forever space junk?
It's in a very elliptic orbit and combined with the fact that it's both pretty big (as space junk goes) and now pretty light, it would decay on its own fairly soon (months perhaps). But I do believe that the empty stages are designed to either safe themselves (vent all propellants and gases, discharge batteries . . .) or deorbit themselves (dump remaining propellants propulsively against their velocity vector to slow down and thus reenter much sooner).
flipptyfloppity
03-19-08, 07:18 PM
Anyone know when/where I can catch the replay?
dmurphy
03-19-08, 07:19 PM
You'd need the secret code: 12345.
Amazing! That's the same combination as my luggage!
HDTVsportsfan
03-19-08, 07:20 PM
Anyone know when/where I can catch the replay?
Channel 573 is repeating all evening.
We now move from the Webcam to our new favorite website: http://www.n2yo.com
Awaiting D11's add ...
rotohead
03-19-08, 07:22 PM
I'm old enough to vividly remember the day of Sputnik and the awe (and fear) I felt. I watch most Space Shuttle launches live but this Sea Launch event was so great I think I'll pop a cold one and enjoy what space technology has brought to my life. I was a early adapter of HD so I can appreciate what we have now and where we're going to be in just a few short months. My hat's off to D*, Boeing, and Sea Launch. The private sector is the answer to future...not the feds.
HDTVsportsfan
03-19-08, 07:22 PM
Hey....the space shuttle is there. Cool.
Now that the SeaLaunch segment is complete...
Let's restart the discussion here... and continue tracking D11 until we see the "signal strength" on our boxes for 99 #2
Sounds like a great idea. go go go D11
moonman
03-19-08, 07:25 PM
Anyone know when/where I can catch the replay?
Ch 573 or 578 3/20 every 2 hours 6AM-6PM
jefbal99
03-19-08, 07:25 PM
What kind of security do they have to prevent others from hijacking the satellite?
Captain Midnight (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Midnight_%28HBO%29) anybody?
Just posted ...
"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 a few hours."
http://www.sea-launch.com/current_launch.htm
And the press release:
http://www.sea-launch.com/news_releases/nr_080319.html
doctor j
03-19-08, 07:32 PM
Naming the Stage
FSU literature started to refer to the fourth stage of the Proton
booster as being the "Block D" in the early 1980s, a designator which
was immediately realised to be anomalous. From descriptions of
labelling the Korolyov Sputnik-Vostok-Soyuz-Molniya family of launch
vehicles it was known that it was normal practice for the rocket
stages to be named in cyrillic alphabetical order and since "D" is the
fifth letter in the cyrillic alphabet the Proton Block D must have
started life as the fifth stage on another FSU launch vehicle.
Source:
http://www.friends-partners.org/oldfriends/jgreen/blockd.html
Doctor j
Amazing! That's the same combination as my luggage!
Somebody else finally got the Spaceballs reference.
HOOT!! :lol:
jazzyd971fm
03-19-08, 07:35 PM
We now move from the Webcam to our new favorite website: http://www.n2yo.com
Awaiting D11's add ...
Thanks for the link Sixto:)
skierbri10
03-19-08, 07:39 PM
I feel a bit bad for the Dish people, I am sure they feel very deflated right now.
mjones73
03-19-08, 07:47 PM
Amazing! That's the same combination as my luggage!
Spaceballs, such a great movie.
Humm …during the interview by Sea Launch’s …well let’s just say less than colorful mission narrator Paula Korn. Phil Goswitz, V.P. of Space and Communications DirecTV, confirmed they now have six uplink stations.
I know five of them, Castle Rock, Colorado of course. The Los Angeles Broadcast Center (in El Segundo, CA.), Oakdale, Minnesota (the former USSB site). Winchester, Virginia, and one somewhere in New York. But does anyone happen to know of the location of the sixth one? And where exactly in New York is the fifth one based?
DirecTV-11 Launch
http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_directv-11/gallery/images/dtv11-wide-t.jpg
jrodfoo
03-19-08, 07:53 PM
great picture!
This stuff still amazes me.
slacker_x
03-19-08, 07:55 PM
The D* VP mentioned that they carry Disney HD (well he was just randomly naming things) someone should tell him it didnt launch yet..........it should though as if scheduled for winter as spring is very very close.
Nice job with the launch BTW. Congrats!!
I can assure you that DirecTV is capable of receiving HD feeds from Disney as of late last night/early this morning.
Cable_X
03-19-08, 07:56 PM
Now that the SeaLaunch segment is complete...
Let's restart the discussion here... and continue tracking D11 until we see the "signal strength" on our boxes for 99 #2
Forgive the ignorance, but is that 99 (c) or 99(s)?
DCSholtis
03-19-08, 07:56 PM
99 #2 what is this in reference to. Sat 99 2nd transponder?!!
Forgive the ignorance, but is that 99 (c) or 99(s)?It's 99 (c).
(c) is for CONUS.
The 2nd satellite at 99.
bobojay
03-19-08, 07:57 PM
This stuff still amazes me.
DITTO!
John4924
03-19-08, 07:59 PM
Thanks Sixto! Great picture.
DCSholtis
03-19-08, 07:59 PM
It's 99 (c).
(c) is for CONUS.
The 2nd satellite at 99.
Thanks, Sixto!
Forgive the ignorance, but is that 99 (c) or 99(s)?
C and S are for Conus and Spotbeam. Directv 11 will broadcast to both.
From Webster.com:
5: being according to plan : satisfactory <everything was nominal during the launch>
Carl Spock
03-19-08, 08:06 PM
DirecTV-11 Launch
http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_directv-11/gallery/images/dtv11-wide-t.jpg
Here's a hi-rez version (http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_directv-11/gallery/images/dtv11-wide.jpg) of this picture.
Here's a hi-rez version (http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_directv-11/gallery/images/dtv11-wide.jpg) of this picture.
Too Cooooool!!!
hdtvfan0001
03-19-08, 08:14 PM
It should be another 3 hours or so before D11 says "everything is fine up here" to the ground station in South Africa.
That will be the last milestone until other testing is completed on board the unit itself over the weeks ahead.
michaelyork29
03-19-08, 08:15 PM
I can see more HD channels in the future... :)
LameLefty
03-19-08, 08:19 PM
I'm officially excited. :)
Channel 573 is repeating all evening.
Where can we find a full replay online tho ? :hurah: :nono2: :confused:
njblackberry
03-19-08, 08:21 PM
Me, too. Watching the launch (OK, slightly delayed - got home very late) and this is amazing.
hdtvfan0001
03-19-08, 08:21 PM
Where can we find a full replay online tho ? :hurah: :nono2: :confused:
Sea-Launch will have it up some time within the next 12 hours or so on their site...
Earl Bonovich
03-19-08, 08:21 PM
Where can we find a full replay online tho ? :hurah: :nono2: :confused:
No where yet.
You will have to wait for SeaLaunch to post it (or it to hit YouTube)
doctor j
03-19-08, 08:23 PM
Humm …during the interview by Sea Launch’s …well let’s just say less than colorful mission narrator Paula Korn. Phil Goswitz, V.P. of Space and Communications DirecTV, confirmed they now have six uplink stations.
I know five of them, Castle Rock, Colorado of course. The Los Angeles Broadcast Center (in El Segundo, CA.), Oakdale, Minnesota (the former USSB site). Winchester, Virginia, and one somewhere in New York. But does anyone happen to know of the location of the sixth one? And where exactly in New York is the fifth one based?
Not easy to find but this could be it.
http://www.viasat.com/press/view.php?id=252
Doctor j
What exactly is D11 for? I mean, they wanna phase out the older sats soon right--will the feeds come from this one? D10 isn't maxed out yet it is? Or in other words as drx792 mentioned about how Disney HD has yet to go live--do the next wave of channels roll out on the new bird? And I can't even really think of many other HD channels, and by that time D12 will be up...Or do we start from the beginning and D12's purpose is for phasing out the older sats (and D11 is for new HD within the next years)?
Earl Bonovich
03-19-08, 08:28 PM
What exactly is D11 for? I mean, they wanna phase out the older sats soon right--will the feeds come from this one? D10 isn't maxed out yet it is? Or in other words as drx792 mentioned about how Disney HD has yet to go live--do the next wave of channels roll out on the new bird? And I can't even really think of many other HD channels, and by that time D12 will be up...Or do we start from the beginning and D12's purpose is for phasing out the older sats (and D11 is for new HD within the next years)?
D11's two "primary" purposes are for NATIONAL HD expansion (CONUS streams), and SpotBeamed HD Locals-In-Local coverage.
It will also before expansion of SD Locals-In-Locals.
The Sat that is planned to be phased out, is usage of the 72.5 sat.
D10 is not maxed out yet.
The next "wave" would probably be on D10... and then things balanced out once D11 is operational.
D12 is a "bonus" since it's primary purpose was a backup to D10 and D11 (and it will probably serve as an in-space backup as well to those two), and all is known about it's plans is that it will help continue to expand the HD bandwith.
bdowell
03-19-08, 08:29 PM
Sea Launch did a great job with the launch. Their estimated Prelaunch orbit figures were either exact with actual orbit or only a difference of 2.8.
Estimated Perigee: 250
Actual Perigee:250
Estimated Apogee: 36482
Actual Apogee: 36484.8
Estimated Inclination: 0
Actual Inclination: 0
The Mission Analysts that I provide IT support to gave everyone a mission update and one of the things I noted was how close to target the vehicle was at the critical points. In terms of rocket science, dead on.
Excellent work by SeaLaunch and Boeing so far.
A well deserved celebration shown on the broadcast. I hope everyone there enjoyed the banquet. :)
Makes me feel a bit more sorry for the poor folks at Dish/Echostar and their luck on their recent launch. If any were watching the SeaLaunch broadcast I'm sure they were terribly jealous of the vast difference in how the events unfolded over both launches.
Hopefully Dish can still get their bird operational for at least some period of time, and hopefully their next launch will be far more successful so the competition will resume between both companies. :)
P Smith
03-19-08, 08:33 PM
I'd like to all remind you - D11 is far away from destination point, we need to wait OK at least for GSO orbit first, then we will watch moving to 99.2W.
Not there yet. Waiting for third burn.
wilmot3
03-19-08, 08:36 PM
So far, so good. If someone would have told me just a few months ago that I'd have watched a satellite launch with such a degree of interest I'd have told them they were crazy.
you and me both :D
curt8403
03-19-08, 08:36 PM
I'd like to all remind you - D11 is far away from destination point, we need to wait OK at least for GSO orbit first, then we will watch moving to 99.2W.
Not there yet. Waiting for third burn.
granted, but Sealaunch put D11 into exactly the place that it needed to be to start the move to final orbit. so far it has been a beauty of a ride.
ncgbrown
03-19-08, 08:38 PM
What is the time frame for the final nudge to 99.2 - hours or days?
No where yet.
You will have to wait for SeaLaunch to post it (or it to hit YouTube)
That was fast :D
youtube.com/watch?v=QFZjYzk3RI0
curt8403
03-19-08, 08:39 PM
What is the time frame for the final nudge to 99.2 - hours or days?
weeks my friend, weeks like 4 weeks
Tom Robertson
03-19-08, 08:39 PM
An oldie, but a goodie that I missed the first time around:We know that each station is alloted a fixed amount of bandwidth they can use for their frequency.
We know that each station has the option to split up that fixed amount of bandwidth any way they see fit (aka: more subchannels means less bandwidth per channel).
Can you verify if they have the bandwidth to broadcast 1,500 HD locals which are all using their "maximum bandwidth potential"?
Because if that's where the number "1,500" came from, then all the digital subchannels that each station is broadcasting would "be included in that station's alloted bandwidth".
Hypothetical Example: If every single local station is broadcasting their "main channel plus one subchannel", then TECHNICALLY directv could offer "3,000 local channels".
Is this the case?
Or does that 1,500 number come from "fuzzy math" that figured out what the average station is using for bandwidth on JUST their main channel?
I do not know, but I can surmise some things.
The short answer is "most likely a bit of both". They can almost carry 1,500 full bitrate channels counting upon some amount of compression and bitsharing between the channels, I'm guessing.
So in your hypotetical, I could guess DIRECTV could possibly carry something similar to the 3,000 you suggest. From a bitrate perspective, can I wild ass guess 2,500-2,800? (No real data in hand, mind you.)
And they might be able to do more if they didn't reserve some bandwidth in case of failure.
Now a dose of reality. I'm sure you know that DIRECTV really isn't constrained by the bitrate in your examples. The problem is each subchannel needs its own reciever and transcoder today. (I haven't seen any "take a full OTA channel and compress the whole sheband for DIRECTV" transcoders yet.) :)
And I am pretty sure many of the subchannels won't be very interesting to DIRECTV to carry unless the FCC requires them ALL. (I'm still trying to find today's reported clarification on the carry rules.)
Cheers,
Tom
sdicomp
03-19-08, 08:41 PM
Great Job, Sea-Launch! Good Luck Boeing! All of us HD'ers mouths are watering!!!:D
D11's two "primary" purposes are for NATIONAL HD expansion (CONUS streams), and SpotBeamed HD Locals-In-Local coverage.
It will also before expansion of SD Locals-In-Locals.
The Sat that is planned to be phased out, is usage of the 72.5 sat.
D10 is not maxed out yet.
The next "wave" would probably be on D10... and then things balanced out once D11 is operational.
D12 is a "bonus" since it's primary purpose was a backup to D10 and D11 (and it will probably serve as an in-space backup as well to those two), and all is known about it's plans is that it will help continue to expand the HD bandwith.
Cool, nice anwser! Yeah I thought I remembered D12 as being a backup (spare). I guess it makes sense to send it up. Wonder what slot it'll use.
Tom Robertson
03-19-08, 08:55 PM
Cool, nice anwser! Yeah I thought I remembered D12 as being a backup (spare). I guess it makes sense to send it up. Wonder what slot it'll use.
We'll definitely know when DIRECTV completes the FCC filings. :)
Or when they announce a launching company.
Cheers,
Tom
upnorth
03-19-08, 08:55 PM
And this is why I stayed with DirecTV when I upgraded to HD back in March 2006 even tho they only had 9 national HD channels.
The payoff is here now this is awesome.;)
HawkEye19
03-19-08, 08:57 PM
Anyone have an idea _where_ in Oakdale, Minnesota is the uplink center?
P Smith
03-19-08, 08:59 PM
Anyone have an idea _where_ in Oakdale, Minnesota is the uplink center?
TRy Google map.
Anyone have an idea _where_ in Oakdale, Minnesota is the uplink center?
Hidden somewhere within the secretive 3M complex off of Century avenue. I lived across the street from there 30 years ago, in an apartment building on Tanners Lake. (I made up the part about it being in the 3M complex)
P Smith
03-19-08, 09:03 PM
granted, but Sealaunch put D11 into exactly the place that it needed to be to start the move to final orbit. so far it has been a beauty of a ride.
That last burn still precise task by creating proper impulse, duration and orientation. Lets wait for ending that phase.
LameLefty
03-19-08, 09:06 PM
Anyone have an idea _where_ in Oakdale, Minnesota is the uplink center?
Nah, but I guess a call to the local Chamber of Commerce would give you an address, or perhaps digging around on Google Earth - even if you couldn't ID the uplink center yourself, I bet some enterprising local person has tagged it in the Community layers.
HawkEye19
03-19-08, 09:08 PM
I have hunch where it is. Not too many places in Oakdale where you can hide giant billboard-type antenna.
And that does explain why they are there!
Tom Robertson
03-19-08, 09:08 PM
At this point, all burns are about the same--tweak the orbit. Either the engine fires and stops at the right time or it doesn't. We no longer have "a massive lifting burn to get it at the right altitude, which is AMC-14's problem, no lifting engine and isn't high enough.
Cheers,
Tom
curt8403
03-19-08, 09:10 PM
I have hunch where it is. Not too many places in Oakdale where you can hide giant billboard-type antenna.
And that does explain why they are there!
sure there are. like a drive-in theatre (spies like us)
jefbal99
03-19-08, 09:24 PM
I have hunch where it is. Not too many places in Oakdale where you can hide giant billboard-type antenna.
And that does explain why they are there!
Try 6287 32nd St N, Saint Paul, MN
Looks like 4 good sized dishes there
HawkEye19
03-19-08, 09:28 PM
Try 6287 32nd St N, Saint Paul, MN
Looks like 4 good sized dishes there
Yep, that's exactly where I was thinking.
jrodfoo
03-19-08, 09:32 PM
we will be hearing these three letters very soon..... T....L....E :)
jefbal99
03-19-08, 09:32 PM
Yep, that's exactly where I was thinking.
Hell, Lansing is the 112 DMA and our news stations have dishes that sized at their offices.
I don't think it takes much to uplink to a bird, we are not talking like a dish the sized of a football field or something
Tom Robertson
03-19-08, 09:32 PM
Few news stations have 30m dishes... :)
mikejos
03-19-08, 09:33 PM
Channel 573 is repeating all evening.
Is this the HD version or will the HD version be available from D11? Chicken or the egg I think.
Thanks for the link Sixto:)
Anybody have any idea how soon we'll be able to see D-11 on this site? I know that first it has to at least check in at 9:48pm PDT, but how long after that? A day or so?
jefbal99
03-19-08, 09:41 PM
Few news stations have 30m dishes... :)
Tibb, i must have had my zoom screwed up when I was looking at the satellite images, because when i just compared screen shots, the dishes in minnesota appear to be about twice the size.
my bad
turbo_oasis
03-19-08, 09:42 PM
When the panels extend their arms it should say....E* YOU SUCK AT LIFE :D
Greg Alsobrook
03-19-08, 09:46 PM
We now move from the Webcam to our new favorite website: http://www.n2yo.com
Awaiting D11's add ...
i wonder how long it will take them to add it...
Greg Alsobrook
03-19-08, 09:48 PM
Anyone have an idea _where_ in Oakdale, Minnesota is the uplink center?
what gets uplinked from there? i thought the uplink centers were in LA and castle rock?
Try 6287 32nd St N, Saint Paul, MN
Looks like 4 good sized dishes thereAre these them?? My family is in Woodbury...I my have to make a visit sometime soon just to "wander by"...
rrrick8
03-19-08, 09:50 PM
Where can we find a full replay online tho ? :hurah: :nono2: :confused:
It'll be in the CE download. You have to activate by doing an IAMANEDGECUTTER search for "NOMINAL"
;)
ChrisPC
03-19-08, 10:01 PM
Anyone have an idea _where_ in Oakdale, Minnesota is the uplink center?
Is that the old USSB facility?
Interceptor
03-19-08, 10:04 PM
Are these them?? My family is in Woodbury...I my have to make a visit sometime soon just to "wander by"...
Oh yeah... Looks like it to me. You can also select the "Bird's Eye View" on maps.live.com and see a terrific shot from the side. I'd post the image, but don't want to anger the big kahuna Microsoft.:)
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=rgyzfw77jkyv&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=6164366&encType=1
Never mind, I figured out how to link to it.
Greg Alsobrook
03-19-08, 10:10 PM
dunno if this has been posted yet... but i just found this... http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/servlet/ib.page.FetchAttachment?attachment_key=-73809
Oh yeah... Looks like it to me. You can also select the "Bird's Eye View" on maps.live.com and see a terrific shot from the side. I'd post the image, but don't want to anger the big kahuna Microsoft.:)
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=rgyzfw77jkyv&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=6164366&encType=1
Never mind, I figured out how to link to it.Those are HUGE dishes!!
Tom Robertson
03-19-08, 10:17 PM
dunno if this has been posted yet... but i just found this... http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/servlet/ib.page.FetchAttachment?attachment_key=-73809
Yup, about a year ago: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=82295 :)
Greg Alsobrook
03-19-08, 10:18 PM
Yup, about a year ago: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=82295 :)
:shrug:
i wasn't here a year ago... :D
(i know it's a sticky :) )
Greg Alsobrook
03-19-08, 10:20 PM
Oh yeah... Looks like it to me. You can also select the "Bird's Eye View" on maps.live.com and see a terrific shot from the side. I'd post the image, but don't want to anger the big kahuna Microsoft.:)
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=rgyzfw77jkyv&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=6164366&encType=1
Never mind, I figured out how to link to it.
link won't work for me... :confused:
just keeps goin back to http://intl.local.live.com/
i wonder how long it will take them to add it...I'm guessing we'll see D11 within 24-48 hours ...
http://www.n2yo.com/latest_launches.php
Interceptor
03-19-08, 10:25 PM
link won't work for me... :confused:
just keeps goin back to http://intl.local.live.com/
Hmmm... dunno. Works here. I found it by going to http://maps.live.com/ and keying in the address listed above. It didn't center on it, but is just few hundred yards northeast of the actual site. Bird's eye view gives you four angles.
Greg Alsobrook
03-19-08, 10:27 PM
wow... google earth is fun... :D
just found the castle rock uplink center...
http://www.dbstalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=12875&d=1205983672
Interceptor
03-19-08, 10:35 PM
Catalog #32729 shows to have been launched today. Space-Track shows it as "Object A". TLE shows it is currently traveling along the equator. Could this be our baby?
davemayo
03-19-08, 10:36 PM
Are these them?? My family is in Woodbury...I my have to make a visit sometime soon just to "wander by"...
My wife's brother and his family live in Woodbury. Nice town.
Greg Alsobrook
03-19-08, 10:40 PM
and i guess this is the one in LA...
Catalog #32729 shows to have been launched today. Space-Track shows it as "Object A". TLE shows it is currently traveling along the equator. Could this be our baby?
Can you post some links to what you're referring to?
I Googled "Space-Track" and got this link (http://www.space-track.org/perl/login.pl), but it also says "Due to existing National Security Restrictions pertaining to access of and use of U.S. Government-provided information and data, all users accessing this web site must be an approved registered user to access data on this site."
Can you post some links to what you're referring to?
I Googled "Space-Track" and got this link (http://www.space-track.org/perl/login.pl), but it also says "Due to existing National Security Restrictions pertaining to access of and use of U.S. Government-provided information and data, all users accessing this web site must be an approved registered user to access data on this site."Referring to this site ...
http://www.n2yo.com/?s=31862
That's the link for D10. We're guessing at the "s=" for D11
Referring to this site ...
http://www.n2yo.com/?s=31862
That's the link for D10. We're guessing at the "s=" for D11
I've been searching this site for DirecTV 11 since the launch and I haven't found anything that would refer to it. On the "Search Database" page there is a search by date launched and it returns nothing for today. Also returns nothing for DirecTV 11.
What's the "s=" that you're referring to?
Interceptor
03-19-08, 10:54 PM
Can you post some links to what you're referring to?
I Googled "Space-Track" and got this link (http://www.space-track.org/perl/login.pl), but it also says "Due to existing National Security Restrictions pertaining to access of and use of U.S. Government-provided information and data, all users accessing this web site must be an approved registered user to access data on this site."
I logged in. Here's a screenshot of the TLE...
Greg Alsobrook
03-19-08, 10:54 PM
What's the "s=" that you're referring to?
in the address line...
What's the "s=" that you're referring to?The "s=" is the value that site will give to D11 when it's noticed. It will go into that url link
D10 is http://www.n2yo.com/?s=31862
Awaiting "s=" value for D11 ...
Reggie3
03-19-08, 11:11 PM
Congrats
Interceptor
03-19-08, 11:11 PM
If I recall, when D-10 was in its early stages and was still in transit to GSO, the n2yo site normally stayed at least a day behind. Space-Track generally gave us the most recent info. Still not sure if 32729 will be the catalog number for D-11, but I'm hoping to know for sure soon. It sure is coincidental.
tuff bob
03-19-08, 11:12 PM
looking at the recent launches, the s= numbers are sequential. ;)
Man, sorry I missed the party. What a launch though...excellent Ruski Speak on the count down too.
Have they heard from the bird yet? It's about that time isn't it?
looking at the recent launches, the s= numbers are sequential. ;)Not so sure.
Just logged into Space Track as well, shows one launch for today: 32729
P Smith
03-19-08, 11:20 PM
Are these them?? My family is in Woodbury...I my have to make a visit sometime soon just to "wander by"...
You guys pickup wrong one - DoD will give you a warning !
It's Over-the-horizon radar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over-the-horizon_radar).
tuff bob
03-19-08, 11:22 PM
Not so sure.
Just logged into Space Track as well, shows one launch for today: 32729
can you cut & paste whatever data is showing? :D
can you cut & paste whatever data is showing? :DOBJECT A
1 32729U 08013A 08079.72950595 -.00000595 00000-0 00000+0 0 14
2 32729 000.0442 041.9240 7301134 137.3253 154.1349 02.25930713 07
The only launch from today.
tuff bob
03-19-08, 11:30 PM
OBJECT A
1 32729U 08013A 08079.72950595 -.00000595 00000-0 00000+0 0 14
2 32729 000.0442 041.9240 7301134 137.3253 154.1349 02.25930713 07
The only launch from today.
An inclination of 0.0442, that's a really good clue ;)
yuppers519
03-19-08, 11:31 PM
can you cut & paste whatever data is showing? :D
when i go to that site and delete the last five numbers and put in 32729, it says it is the space shuttle
NORAD # 32729
COSPAR designator 2008-013-A
Epoch (UTC) 03-19-2008 17:30:29
Orbit # at Epoch 0
Inclination 0.044
RA of A. Node 41.924
Eccentricity 0.7301134
Argument of Perigee 137.325
Revs per day 2.25930713
Period 10h 37m 21s (637.35 min)
Semi-major axis 24 533 km
Perigee x Apogee 243 x 36 067 km
BStar (drag term) 0.000000000 1/ER
Mean anomaly 154.135
Propagation model SDP4
Element number / age 1 / 0 day(s)
Lon 109.7829° E
Lat 0.0036° S
Alt (km) 36 024.090
Azm 89.0°
Elv -9.2°
RA 00h 10m 35s
Decl -6° 47' 05"
Range (km) 42 955.241
RRt (km/s) 0.011
Vel (km/s) 1.598
Direction Descending
Eclipse No
MA (phase) 171.4° (121)
TA 178.0°
Orbit # 1
Mag (illum) Not visible
Constellation Psc
Interceptor
03-19-08, 11:36 PM
when i go to that site and delete the last five numbers and put in 32729, it says it is the space shuttle
I think n2yo is defaulting to the shuttle. If you mouse-over the STS-123, you'll see that it is catalog number 32699.
Greg Alsobrook
03-19-08, 11:37 PM
so... no confirmation signal yet??
Greg Alsobrook
03-19-08, 11:41 PM
i know this probably isn't the thread for this... and i know you're going to yell at me tom ;) ... but you guys should check this out... check out the altitude on AMC-14 and how quickly is declining... http://www.n2yo.com/?s=32709 :confused: ...
i know this probably isn't the thread for this... and i know you're going to yell at me tom ;) ... but you guys should check this out... check out the altitude on AMC-14 and how quickly is declining... http://www.n2yo.com/?s=32709 :confused: ... it was at 11,800 when i started watching it 2 minutes ago... it's already fallen 1000 feet...I thought the way that site works is that it just takes a TLE from an exact point in time and then extrapolates the future ... it's not actually real-time.
Interceptor
03-19-08, 11:44 PM
I just ran a simulation on the TLE from 32729, and the locations matched up almost exactly with what's on the Sea-Launch site. I'm more convinced than ever that this is going to be our bird!
yuppers519
03-19-08, 11:44 PM
i know this probably isn't the thread for this... and i know you're going to yell at me tom ;) ... but you guys should check this out... check out the altitude on AMC-14 and how quickly is declining... http://www.n2yo.com/?s=32709 :confused: ...
wow that suckers dropping quick
Greg Alsobrook
03-19-08, 11:45 PM
I thought the way that site works is that it just takes a TLE from an exact point in time and then extrapolates the future ... it's not actually real-time.
ahh... could be :confused:
I just ran a simulation on the TLE from 32729, and the locations matched up almost exactly with what's on the Sea-Launch site. I'm more convinced than ever that this is going to be our bird!Yep, also added the lon/lat and alt to above post, from the only TLE we have.
tuff bob
03-19-08, 11:47 PM
Yep, also added the lon/lat and alt to above post, from the only TLE we have.
yep, I think this is it, the inclination is the key hint, the whole point of sea launch is they get stuff into orbit with a 0 inclination. Also the height is about perfect for the apogee of the GTO. :)
TheRatPatrol
03-19-08, 11:48 PM
AirRocker, I count 30 dishes at Castle Rock and 16 in LA?
Is that what you guys see too?
so... no confirmation signal yet??Was gonna be 6 hours from launch, which is right now. plus/minus 30-60 mins. Soon (hopefully!)
They must find it. I gotta go to bed!
tuff bob
03-19-08, 11:49 PM
OBJECT A
1 32729U 08013A 08079.72950595 -.00000595 00000-0 00000+0 0 14
2 32729 000.0442 041.9240 7301134 137.3253 154.1349 02.25930713 07
The only launch from today.
congrats on posting the first TLE. Now we just need "OBJECT A" to phone home :)
cartrivision
03-19-08, 11:50 PM
i know this probably isn't the thread for this... and i know you're going to yell at me tom ;) ... but you guys should check this out... check out the altitude on AMC-14 and how quickly is declining... http://www.n2yo.com/?s=32709 :confused: ...
Since it's probably in an elliptical orbit, it's going to be both declining and rising in altitude depending on when you happen to be looking at it.
Greg Alsobrook
03-19-08, 11:50 PM
AirRocker, I count 30 dishes at Castle Rock and 16 in LA?
Is that what you guys see too?
i didn't count yet :D
Greg Alsobrook
03-19-08, 11:51 PM
Since it's probably in an elliptical orbit, it's going to be both declining and rising in altitude depending on when you happen to be looking at it.
when i started watching it... it was at 11k miles... that was 5 minutes ago... now it's at 5k miles?? seems pretty drastic to me... guess we'll find out in another 5 minutes :lol:
Interceptor
03-19-08, 11:53 PM
Hey Sixto:
Take a look at this "target" from the Sea-Launch page and compare to your perigee and apogee above. Darn close!
tuff bob
03-19-08, 11:56 PM
Phone Home D11!
Phone Home D11!Problem now is that we have no way to check for phone home.
We're at the mercy of the person who updates the web-site.
It may have called home already. Just no way to know.
And we wait ... :) ... and it's bedtime!
tuff bob
03-20-08, 12:00 AM
And we wait ... :) ... and it's bedtime!
it was bedtime about 4 hours ago. I'm running on fumes :lol:
Greg Alsobrook
03-20-08, 12:00 AM
I thought the way that site works is that it just takes a TLE from an exact point in time and then extrapolates the future ... it's not actually real-time.
the top of the site does say "REAL TIME SATELLITE TRACKING" though??
tuff bob
03-20-08, 12:05 AM
the top of the site does say "REAL TIME SATELLITE TRACKING" though??
it tracks satellites in real time :lol:
the top of the site does say "REAL TIME SATELLITE TRACKING" though??When I got my satellite tracking training from LameLefty during D10 ... :) ...
All that site does is take these TLE entries ... which is an exact point in time ... with lots of great info ....
And then that site ... and most satellite tracking programs just extrapolate what will happen until the next TLE ...
I did download Orbitron along the way.
Everything I know is from LameLefty and the D10 thread for 2+ months ...
Greg Alsobrook
03-20-08, 12:08 AM
When I got my satellite tracking training from LameLefty during D10 ... :) ...
All that site does is take these TLE entries ... which is an exact point in time ... with lots of great info ....
And then that site ... and most satellite tracking programs just extrapolate what will happen until the next TLE ...
I did download Orbitron along the way.
Everything I know is from LameLefty and the D10 thread for 2+ months ...
well... all i know is n2yo shows AMC-14 falling at over 3 miles a second.. and in 16 minutes... it will be splash down time... :D
well... all i know is n2yo shows AMC-14 falling at over 3 miles a second.. and in 16 minutes... it will be splash down time... :Da splash in charlie's pool? ... :)
back to topic ...
just called the hotline ... no news.
Blurayfan
03-20-08, 12:11 AM
Sea-Launch also has a Toll-FREE line for Launch status updates. No updates posted on DirecTV-11 yet.
1-800-995-4123
yuppers519
03-20-08, 12:16 AM
Sea-Launch also has a Toll-FREE line for Launch status updates. No updates posted on DirecTV-11 yet.
1-800-995-4123
i just called and it says it is in orbit and everything is fine. it will be at its final spot in a few hours
Blurayfan
03-20-08, 12:21 AM
i just called and it says it is in orbit and everything is fine. it will be at its final spot in a few hours
The message will be updated after the Satellite makes contact with the ground tracking station. Everybody is waiting for it to phone home.
tuff bob
03-20-08, 12:38 AM
getting a little nervous now
Greg Alsobrook
03-20-08, 12:42 AM
getting a little nervous now
like someone else said... not necessarily a bad sign... just kinda at the mercy of the web site updater...
DennisG
03-20-08, 12:45 AM
While we wait, here is another cool photo from the launch vessel.
The high-rez version at http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_directv-11/gallery/img_scr/dtv11-tall.jpg is really a great photo.
Greg Alsobrook
03-20-08, 12:51 AM
While we wait, here is another cool photo from the launch vessel.
The high-rez version at http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_directv-11/gallery/img_scr/dtv11-tall.jpg is really a great photo.
wow.. That is a cool shot...
SParker
03-20-08, 01:05 AM
Boeing acquired a signal from the spacecraft at 10:44pm PDT (05:44 GMT), at the Hartebeesthoek Tracking facility in South Africa.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
D11 phoned home!
"Boeing acquired a signal from the spacecraft at 10:44pm PDT (05:44 GMT), at the Hartebeesthoek Tracking facility in South Africa."
Great news!
Now we move to the next phase ... tracking D11 for the next 4-8 weeks.
Got my money on 4/30/2008.
Bedtime! ... nice day today!
Much more HD in our future ...
tuff bob
03-20-08, 01:05 AM
YEAHHHH
A signal has been received.
"Boeing acquired a signal from the spacecraft at 10:44pm PDT (05:44 GMT), at the Hartebeesthoek Tracking facility in South Africa."
http://www.sea-launch.com/current_launch.htm#current_mission
cforrest
03-20-08, 01:06 AM
Nice, took em long enough to update, LOL!
tuff bob
03-20-08, 01:07 AM
Nice, took em long enough to update, LOL!
20 mins or so, not too bad
Nice, took em long enough to update, LOL!Took an extra hour then they thought. Originally was supposed to be at +6, happened at +7.
Greg Alsobrook
03-20-08, 01:15 AM
good news!! time for bed :)
cforrest
03-20-08, 01:17 AM
Took an extra hour then they thought. Originally was supposed to be at +6, happened at +7.
That it did, was getting worried myself! In any event, I am calling it a night. I am sure in the overnight Boeing will put out a PR. For those up it should be updated at this link: http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/index.html So hopefully someone can copy/paste and link to the PR when it is released by Boeing.
cartrivision
03-20-08, 01:22 AM
In other good news.... after coming within 600 miles of crashing into earth, AMC-14 is now at an altitude of more than 5000 miles and climbing.:p
ejjames
03-20-08, 03:15 AM
I'm no expert, but to raise a satellites orbit from 5,000 to more than 22,000 miles sounds like quite a feat!
Also, at 5,000 miles it must be orbiting the earth. So it's not just raising the altitude, it's timing it so it ends up in the proper position over North America.
I'm having trouble finding that thread. I usually have the dish forums removed. Could somebodt post them?
Thanks,
ej
hdtvfan0001
03-20-08, 05:01 AM
I'm having trouble finding that thread. I usually have the dish forums removed. Could somebodt post them?
Thanks,
ej
Please note that this is a DirecTV D11 Post-Launch Thread, not a Dish thread. You can do a simple search via the 6th menu item on top to find their contents.
:backtotop
The official news:
"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.
Boeing acquired a signal from the spacecraft at 10:44pm PDT (05:44 GMT), at the Hartebeesthoek Tracking facility in South Africa. "
Of course, this is great news. Over the next 70-90 days, DirecTV will conduct a myriad of tests on the unit, to assure all transponders, sensors, and other electronics onboard the D11 sat are functioning properly. Once test are complete, they'll start configurations for transponders to deploy specific channels.
Those events are now as critical to D11 as the launch. To this point, all is on target, but they still need to make sure the sat is operating as designed in the weeks and months ahead. You may recall D10 had a few transponder issues that seemed to have been rectified for the most part.
In any event, the launch mission was a success, now awaiting the activation phase. I found it interesting that the DirecTV announcement stated that D11 would be operational "in September". Perhaps this is to offset earlier startup speculation.
Additionally, DirecTV said it will launch yet another satellite (D12) in 2009 that will enable it to provide up to 200 national HD channels, which would indicate they have a launch contract nearly done or signed.
D12 is a "bonus" since it's primary purpose was a backup to D10 and D11 (and it will probably serve as an in-space backup as well to those two), and all is known about it's plans is that it will help continue to expand the HD bandwith.I think the VP said D12 would push their HD offerings to 200 national/200 local HD markets...
Thaedron
03-20-08, 06:50 AM
I think the VP said D12 would push their HD offerings to 200 national/200 local HD markets...
Did you mean 2000 local HD markets?
davemayo
03-20-08, 06:51 AM
This whole satellite launch process facinates me, but I am totally ignorant of how it works. Could someone point me to a website that explains in laymen's terms how they are able to park a satellite at a precise location 22,000 miles above Earth?
Thanks.:D
MIAMI1683
03-20-08, 06:53 AM
I think the VP said D12 would push their HD offerings to 200 national/200 local HD markets...
I think it's more like 150 national and a whole lot more lil's. Like 84% of the country. I forgot the total new markets. Any news from boeing yet?
Thaedron
03-20-08, 06:53 AM
Thanks to Tom, Lamelefty, Sixto and all the others with "rocket science" backgrounds for providing additional technical details and "back story".
Grats to DirecTV and grats to us for future additional HD channels!
MIAMI1683
03-20-08, 06:54 AM
Forget the last question here's a copy of the release.
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
hdtvfan0001
03-20-08, 07:04 AM
I think the VP said D12 would push their HD offerings to 200 national/200 local HD markets...
The plan is that D12 will ramp up capacity to a potential 200 National HD channels and 2000 HD LIL channels.
On the launch broadcast yesterday, the announcer stated that both the D10 and D11 sats had the capacity "to support up to about 750 HD channels each". If you do the math (plus the other sats with some HD bandwidth)...it all adds up.
D10 + D11 + D12 = 2150 total HD channel capacity, plus the other sats.
Carl Spock
03-20-08, 07:14 AM
A signal has been received.
"Boeing acquired a signal from the spacecraft at 10:44pm PDT (05:44 GMT), at the Hartebeesthoek Tracking facility in South Africa."
Nice, took em long enough to update, LOL!
Took an extra hour then they thought. Originally was supposed to be at +6, happened at +7.
That it did, was getting worried myself!
This reminds me of me. I've got to tell you a story on me.
I grew up right next to JPL, where all deep space craft from the US are controlled. When I was twelve, my sister was in high school and dating the son of the Surveyor project manager. Surveyor was the first American craft to soft land on the Moon. I got all the press releases and glossy photos through his son and was fascinated by Surveyor. Surveyor had two low gain antennae and one high gain antenna. The low gain antennae were used in flying to the Moon, with the high gain one reserved for the lunar surface. When Surveyor One was launched, one of the low gain antennae didn't deploy. Howard Haglund, the project manager and his team weren't worried as the other antenna was working just fine. I, on the other hand, was very concerned, certain that the mission was on the edge of failure. My twelve year old concern made it to JPL and was the joke of the project team. If Gregg's worried, then we should be worried. Their mock consternation made it back to me. I learned at that young age to leave it to the experts.
lionsrule
03-20-08, 07:14 AM
SEPTEMBER!
Did you mean 2000 local HD markets?
good god no, there isn't even 300 markets, maybe that many local channels but not 2000 :D
Did you mean 2000 local HD markets?No, 2000 local HD channels. At about 6+ locals per market, that's about 200 markets.
Indiana627
03-20-08, 07:27 AM
Link to Boeing press release: http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q1/080320a_nr.html
LameLefty
03-20-08, 07:33 AM
This whole satellite launch process facinates me, but I am totally ignorant of how it works. Could someone point me to a website that explains in laymen's terms how they are able to park a satellite at a precise location 22,000 miles above Earth?
Thanks.:D
Even better: I'll try to explain it in a paragraph or so right here AND provide a link to longer explanation. :)
Basically, the higher up something orbits, the slower (relative to the earth's surface) it appears to move. Low orbit satellites like the shuttle and the ISS zip around the earth in around 90 minutes or so from a couple hundred miles up. By contrast, at 22,300-odd miles, the speed of the satellite as it tracks around the Earth's center of mass is exactly the same as the rotational rate of the Earth. So, the trick is to put the satellite into a slightly lower (and faster) orbit, or a slightly higher (and slower) orbit until you get it to the right "slot" and then adjust the orbital velocity up or down precisely to "park" it where you want it in geostationary orbit. It's gets complicated in practice because you can't speed it up or slow it down instantaneously, so you have to precisely model it mathematically and plan the maneuvers so that you get it right with the minimum use of fuel, but basically that's it.
Now here's a link: http://celestrak.com/columns/v04n07/
And another: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geostationary
Hope this helps!
ccr1958
03-20-08, 07:48 AM
i notice when i use that sat tracking wedsite when i
look at D10 the elevation & azimuth it lists in the upper
right is a little different from what i use....i am not going
to change anything as i get mid 90's on 103 but wodering
if that is the exact ele. & azi. for my house....
mchaney
03-20-08, 07:52 AM
What kind of security do they have to prevent others from hijacking the satellite?
Approximately 60 miles of atmosphere and 22173 miles of space. :D
Mike
skyviewmark1
03-20-08, 07:53 AM
i notice when i use that sat tracking wedsite when i
look at D10 the elevation & azimuth it lists in the upper
right is a little different from what i use....i am not going
to change anything as i get mid 90's on 103 but wodering
if that is the exact ele. & azi. for my house....
MY guess is that the real tracking numbers are just a little more accurate than those little marks on your satellite dish. :) I wouldn't touch your dish if it's working.
Even better: I'll try to explain it in a paragraph or so right here AND provide a link to longer explanation. :)
Basically, the higher up something orbits, the slower (relative to the earth's surface) it appears to move. Low orbit satellites like the shuttle and the ISS zip around the earth in around 90 minutes or so from a couple hundred miles up. By contrast, at 22,300-odd miles, the speed of the satellite as it tracks around the Earth's center of mass is exactly the same as the rotational rate of the Earth. So, the trick is to put the satellite into a slightly lower (and faster) orbit, or a slightly higher (and slower) orbit until you get it to the right "slot" and then adjust the orbital velocity up or down precisely to "park" it where you want it in geostationary orbit. It's gets complicated in practice because you can't speed it up or slow it down instantaneously, so you have to precisely model it mathematically and plan the maneuvers so that you get it right with the minimum use of fuel, but basically that's it.
Now here's a link: http://celestrak.com/columns/v04n07/
And another: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geostationary
Hope this helps!See, it's posts like this that make me want to show my wife that my time on this forum isn't a COMPLETE waste! I'm learning something!! :D
SEPTEMBER!A press release stated early fall... twice... Why so long?
ccr1958
03-20-08, 08:02 AM
MY guess is that the real tracking numbers are just a little more accurate than those little marks on your satellite dish. :) I wouldn't touch your dish if it's working.
no i am not going too...but found that very interesting
that it is so accurate(the tracking website) :)
A press release stated early fall... twice... Why so long?DIRECTV Satellite Launch Sets the Stage for Delivery of Up to 150 National HD Channels
DIRECTV 11 will Deliver Big Boost to HD Capacity and Expand Industry-leading HD Lineup; With Next Satellite Launch in 2009 DIRECTV will have Capacity for Up to 200 National HD Channels
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., March 19, 2008 - A powerful, new DIRECTV satellite, launched successfully today from the Pacific Ocean-based Sea Launch platform, will further boost DIRECTV's HD capacity, enabling the industry's HD leader to deliver up to 150 national HD channels when the satellite goes into service this fall. With the additional capacity, DIRECTV will also expand its delivery of local HD channels to more than 100 markets, representing 84 percent of U.S. TV households.
DIRECTV will launch another satellite in 2009 that will enable the nation's leading satellite TV service to offer consumers up to 200 national HD channels.
DIRECTV 11, a Boeing 702 model satellite, lifted off from the Odyssey Launch Platform aboard a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket at 3:48 p.m. PDT from the equatorial Pacific launch site at 154 degrees West longitude.
After one hour and 55 seconds in flight, the rocket left the spacecraft in a geosynchronous transfer orbit with a high point of 1,323 miles (2,130 km) above the Indian Ocean. The satellite's ultimate geostationary orbit position will be at 22,236 miles (35,786 km) above the earth. Controllers at the ground station in Hartebeesthoek, South Africa have made contact with the satellite and confirmed that all systems are functioning properly.
"Our new DIRECTV 11 satellite will soon join its sister satellite in orbit to form the most robust HD delivery system in the multichannel video industry and will be instrumental in maintaining DIRECTV's position as the undisputed leader in HD for years to come," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV, Inc.
"The strength of our HD offer is not only about the quality and quantity of our national HD channels," he added. "We are continuing to enhance the DIRECTV HD platform by broadcasting our exclusive, interactive sports packages like NCAA® MEGA MARCH MADNESS™, NASCAR HOTPASS™ and NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ all in HD and adding more HD content to our DIRECTV On Demand VOD platform that will formally launch in the coming weeks."
DIRECTV 11, the tenth owned and operated satellite in the DIRECTV fleet, will be maneuvered into a circular orbit at 99.2 degrees West longitude and when tests are completed, it 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.
heaphus
03-20-08, 08:05 AM
Is there a list of what local markets will be added, when D11 goes live? Specifically, does anyone know if Lexington, KY will be in that number? Thanks.
garn9173
03-20-08, 08:06 AM
Well done, D* !
f300v10
03-20-08, 08:13 AM
So where will D12 live once launched. As I understand it, the current KA dishes only have KA LNBs for 99 and 103. Will they have 3 sats at one of those slots? One spaceway and two 702s?
TheRatPatrol
03-20-08, 08:15 AM
Swanni (http://www.tvpredictions.com/dlaunch032008.htm) is reporting that the new satellite won't be ready until September?? :eek2:
The company said the DIRECTV 11 should be operational in September.
ivoaraujo
03-20-08, 08:20 AM
SEPTEMBER?!@#$@#
I can't wait that long.
It's because it's a leap year right? Have to wait 6 months instead of 2.
jefbal99
03-20-08, 08:22 AM
Swanni (http://www.tvpredictions.com/dlaunch032008.htm) is reporting that the new satellite won't be ready until September?? :eek2:
Prolly a misprint in the PR or a mistake, get off the ledge
gothamcity
03-20-08, 08:24 AM
I wonder if they just said September to lower expectations a bit. They are already way ahead of Dish, and with the failed Dish effort, they will only pull further into the lead. They may want to temper expectations, and deliver earlier than their stated date (September) to look even better.
LameLefty
03-20-08, 08:24 AM
It's probably a misunderstanding of what's going on. The satellite will be operational WELL before September, but it might take that long to get a lot of the smaller DMA locals uplinked and ready to use the capacity. It might also take that long to get some of the new national HD channels ready to go.
Congratulations to Sea Launch, Boeing, and DirecTV on their new (softly) bouncing baby bird. :goodjob:
bubbers44
03-20-08, 08:29 AM
I've been watching the replay on channel 573. Next replay at 10:00.
tuff bob
03-20-08, 08:29 AM
Swanni (http://www.tvpredictions.com/dlaunch032008.htm) is reporting that the new satellite won't be ready until September?? :eek2:
I think he's thinking of D10 :lol:
Fish Man
03-20-08, 08:34 AM
Here's a hi-rez version (http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_directv-11/gallery/images/dtv11-wide.jpg) of this picture.
Thanks for the great new destop wallpaper! :up: :D
It's probably a misunderstanding of what's going on. The satellite will be operational WELL before September, but it might take that long to get a lot of the smaller DMA locals uplinked and ready to use the capacity. It might also take that long to get some of the new national HD channels ready to go.Agree.
Set expectations low. They're currently the HD leader, so put a date in the Press Release that they absolutely 100% can meet. They added a few months to deal with any issues that might arise.
If testing goes well, then deliver a few months early with a major announcement.
The great news is that this puppy is finally in space, and looking just fine.
Also, at the beginning, they may start with re-balancing some stuff, move the legacy, move the DNS ... so there may not be much "new" to start. Gives them some time.
tcusta00
03-20-08, 08:34 AM
That was some cool stuff to watch - even my wife (who scoffs when I talk about this stuff) watched with me last night and was in awe...
hdtvfan0001
03-20-08, 08:45 AM
Agree.
Set expectations low. They're currently the HD leader, so put a date in the Press Release that they absolutely 100% can meet. They added a few months to deal with any issues that might arise.
If testing goes well, then deliver a few months early with a major announcement.
The great news is that this puppy is finally in space, and looking just fine.
Also, at the beginning, they may start with re-balancing some stuff, move the legacy, move the DNS ... so there may not be much "new" to start. Gives them some time.
This is a very realistic view of the current status.
Thanks.
The more I think about this, that press release is a great strategy.
You're currently the HD leader. Lay in the weeds with no fanfare about D11 until you are a zillion times sure it's perfect.
Then pounce.
You already have more capacity then everyone else. Wait for the competition press releases ... when/if they ever catch up ... Then ... deliver early!
Good strategy. Very good strategy.
Next is to get D11 operational ... to implement the strategy.
hdtvfan0001
03-20-08, 08:46 AM
Swanni (http://www.tvpredictions.com/dlaunch032008.htm) is reporting that the new satellite won't be ready until September?? :eek2:
Taken right out of the original press release...nothing new.
Sixto covered things quite well in his summation above.
Greg Alsobrook
03-20-08, 08:46 AM
That was some cool stuff to watch - even my wife (who scoffs when I talk about this stuff) watched with me last night and was in awe...
same here... i think she's a little more interested in this stuff than she wants to admit :D
tcusta00
03-20-08, 08:49 AM
same here... i think she's a little more interested in this stuff than she wants to admit :D
We actually had a full-on engaged conversation about something geeky last night - I've never loved my wife more... Thanks DirecTV! :lol:
Greg Alsobrook
03-20-08, 08:50 AM
We actually had a full-on engaged conversation about something geeky last night - I've never loved my wife more... Thanks DirecTV! :lol:
!rolling
hdtvfan0001
03-20-08, 08:50 AM
My wife actually wanted to see the launch.
With her HD Wheel of Fortune, American Idol, and Medium....she has adopted the whole HD thing in a big way. :)
In any case....it will be interesting to see how the next 60 days progress with any news on D11's overall health up there.
My wife actually wanted to see the launch.Same here.
For the first time ever, she watched ... and actually was impressed.
tkrandall
03-20-08, 08:53 AM
So where will D12 live once launched. As I understand it, the current KA dishes only have KA LNBs for 99 and 103. Will they have 3 sats at one of those slots? One spaceway and two 702s?
No one answered this. Where (longitude) will D12 be parked? I thought D10, D11 and the two Spaceways had the 99W and 103W bandwidth tied up.
Greg Alsobrook
03-20-08, 08:54 AM
No one answered this. Where (longitude) will D12 be parked? I thought D10, D11 and the two Spaceways had the 99W and 103W bandwidth tied up.
i don't think it's known for fact yet... but last night in the chat... i believe tom speculated 101...
Button Pusher
03-20-08, 08:55 AM
That was some cool stuff to watch - even my wife (who scoffs when I talk about this stuff) watched with me last night and was in awe...
That's a good wife you got there. Mine said it was boring.lol
Hutchinshouse
03-20-08, 08:55 AM
:righton: Congratulations DIRECTV! It's good to be the king!
hdtvfan0001
03-20-08, 08:55 AM
No one answered this. Where (longitude) will D12 be parked? I thought D10, D11 and the two Spaceways had the 99W and 103W bandwidth tied up.
Not sure....but I bet D12 goes into the 101 slot orbit.
Maybe someone else has a firm idea.
tkrandall
03-20-08, 08:57 AM
I realize the answer to this question could vary depending on how much energy they decided to use for the manuever, but assuming the transer orbit is a classical minimum energy Hohmann transfer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohmann_transfer_orbit
how many days does it take to get from the low Earth orbit last night to the final Geosyncronous position?
tkrandall
03-20-08, 08:59 AM
So they can do Ka band with only 2 degrees seperation at 99, 101, and 103?
So they can do Ka band with only 2 degrees seperation at 99, 101, and 103?Yes, but nothing is confirmed.
They do have ka licenses at 101.
tuff bob
03-20-08, 09:05 AM
They do have ka licenses at 101.
Do they have them for Earth Stations (ie. customer dishes) ?
Would Ka at 101 require a new dish?
tuff bob
03-20-08, 09:08 AM
Would Ka at 101 require a new dish?
no, but possibly a new LNB, we don't know if the slimline was planned to receive Ka from 101.
Earl Bonovich
03-20-08, 09:11 AM
No one answered this. Where (longitude) will D12 be parked? I thought D10, D11 and the two Spaceways had the 99W and 103W bandwidth tied up.
We have no idea at this point.
D12 was slated as the backup to D10 and D11
With D10 up successfully, there was now an improved chance that D12 would not be needed for that role.
With D11 appearing to be a full success (note there is still work to be done).
D12 will now change roles and become it's own SAT... and serve it's own purpose.
As of yet, DirecTV hasn't filed the paper work to tell the FCC where they will put D12, and how they plan to operate the unit.
We probably won't know any of that till later this year.
MIAMI1683
03-20-08, 09:14 AM
no, but possibly a new LNB, we don't know if the slimline was planned to receive Ka from 101.
A new LNB would be expensive considering they have been putting in Slimline dishes for a while now. Not to mention the sidecar. It' will be interesting to see as it goes.
MIMOTech
03-20-08, 09:14 AM
Can someone verify if the center LNB on the current 5 LNB dishes is a Ka/Ku type of LNB. If D12 goes to 101 degrees then it would have to be or we will all would have to change dishes again. Probably answered my own question, but I guess would be nice to know that they were thinking down the line.
So they can do Ka band with only 2 degrees seperation at 99, 101, and 103?
NO. You're talkiing about two different actual bands, the BSS part of the Ka band (the space to earth direct broadcast part, the part we all receive at our homes, in which the separation is FOUR degrees), and the FSS part of the band, which is different frequencies. It's like trying to compare the Ku band with the Ku/DBS band, in which the Ku/DBS is a SUBSET of the entire Ku-band.
Just referring to it all as 'Ka' is as incorrect as referring to the 12Ghz Ku-band as one 'lump' of frequencies. When people refer to the Ku/DBS band in such a way, they 'confuse' the different actual sub-bands within it. Just as 'bad' as referring to the Ka/BSS (broadcast satellite, the FCC hasn't really designated parts of it as 'DBS' as of yet, simply because the only user of those frequencies so far is DirecTV), as 'MPEG4'; as the Echostar/DISH folks will instantly tell you, they use the ENCODING of Mpeg4 at the Ku/DBS frequencies every day.
So, to specify, the Ka/BSS satellites Spaceway1/2 and now DirecTV10/11, are FOUR degrees apart (99/103), while the DirecTV8 (at 101) utilizes the Ka-FSS (fixed satellite) band for backhauls and such. Two completely different things. So just saying that Ka has 'two degree separation' is totally incorrect.
New TLE:
OBJECT A
1 32729U 08013A 08080.20694505 .00001782 00000-0 10776-2 0 28
2 32729 000.0607 004.5242 7312996 175.2731 179.9998 02.22931077 03
Still guessing that 3279 is D11.
Will post lon/lat/alt when get a chance.
Draconis
03-20-08, 09:17 AM
Anyone know when/where I can catch the replay?
Here is a link to the recorded webcast.
http://varicast.variview.net/getContent.aspx?WCID=349a9632-ef36-467c-a6a1-f114a5742152#
I sure hope that the PR that D* put out was a cut/paste of the D10 release and they forgot to change September to May. Six months from launch to operational is a loooooong time.
bubbers44
03-20-08, 09:27 AM
Again replay is on channel 573 right now and will probably play every two hours today.
This whole satellite launch process facinates me, but I am totally ignorant of how it works. Could someone point me to a website that explains in laymen's terms how they are able to park a satellite at a precise location 22,000 miles above Earth?
Thanks.:DI think one of the main reasons that people tend to be in awe of the precision that can be achieved in space is that they are used to dealing with terrestrial systems that are subject to factors such as friction and air resistance. These complicating factors are so complex to model that they can almost be considered chaotic. This makes predicting the future behavior of anything on land, or in the air, to any degree of accuracy virtually impossible.
However, in space, at the orbit levels and speed that we are dealing with here, you only really need to consider good old Newtonian mechanics, and then only really in relation to the Earth. There are other factors that come into play, such as the Moon's gravity and the solar wind, but these are so minor that they can be easily corrected for using the satellite's on-board thrusters on an ongoing basis.
I sure hope that the PR that D* put out was a cut/paste of the D10 release and they forgot to change September to May. Six months from launch to operational is a loooooong time.Bunch of guys sitting in a room ...
"So what is the absolute worse case for D11 ... I dunno ... july/august?... come on, if you have lots of problems ... worse case ... I dunno ... september ... when do u think Dish will make some big announcement ... i dunno ... summer? ... when they launch their next satellite ... good ... we say september ... and then when we're sure, 100% sure, that D11 is perfect ... and the day after Dish announces ... we move our schedule up months ... and jump ahead again .... ok, sounds like a plan ..."
All totally hypothetical of course ...
Tinymon
03-20-08, 09:32 AM
Too bad the clouds were so low. It sure was beuteeful to that point.
tkrandall
03-20-08, 09:32 AM
NO. You're talkiing about two different actual bands, the BSS part of the Ka band (the space to earth direct broadcast part, the part we all receive at our homes, in which the separation is FOUR degrees), and the FSS part of the band, which is different frequencies. It's like trying to compare the Ku band with the Ku/DBS band, in which the Ku/DBS is a SUBSET of the entire Ku-band.
Just referring to it all as 'Ka' is as incorrect as referring to the 12Ghz Ku-band as one 'lump' of frequencies. When people refer to the Ku/DBS band in such a way, they 'confuse' the different actual sub-bands within it. Just as 'bad' as referring to the Ka/BSS (broadcast satellite, the FCC hasn't really designated parts of it as 'DBS' as of yet, simply because the only user of those frequencies so far is DirecTV), as 'MPEG4'; as the Echostar/DISH folks will instantly tell you, they use the ENCODING of Mpeg4 at the Ku/DBS frequencies every day.
So, to specify, the Ka/BSS satellites Spaceway1/2 and now DirecTV10/11, are FOUR degrees apart (99/103), while the DirecTV8 (at 101) utilizes the Ka-FSS (fixed satellite) band for backhauls and such. Two completely different things. So just saying that Ka has 'two degree separation' is totally incorrect.
I appreciate your response, but I thought I had seen others state on this forum DirecTV had into-home Ka licenses at 99, 101 and 103. You seem to be saying that is not the case, or could not be the case legally.
Out of interest, does anyone know why the payload fairing is jettisoned so early on in the mission (after first stage separation)? One would think that you would want it in place as long as possible to provide protection.
I appreciate your response, but I thought I had seen others state on this forum DirecTV had into-home Ka licenses at 99, 101 and 103. You seem to be saying that is not the case, or could not be the case legally.Good research project ... gotta go figure that out ... or Tom may know ...
dwrats_56
03-20-08, 09:37 AM
Out of interest, does anyone know why the payload fairing is jettisoned so early on in the mission (after first stage separation)? One would think that you would want it in place as long as possible to provide protection.
I would say to reduce weight and at 118 km in altitude, it is not needed for protection.
Button Pusher
03-20-08, 09:37 AM
Out of interest, does anyone know why the payload fairing is jettisoned so early on in the mission (after first stage separation)? One would think that you would want it in place as long as possible to provide protection.
I was thinking the same thing.Thanks for asking.
Cable_X
03-20-08, 09:37 AM
Question for D11, how's the view from up there?
Indiana627
03-20-08, 09:38 AM
My 19 month old daughter watched the launch with me (she likes the shuttle launches that I record on HDNet too). Just as it went through the clouds last night she waved to the TV and said in her cute little voice "bye-bye" with no prompting from me. I kid you not. It was hilarious! My wife and I were rolling on the floor!
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