DBSTalk Forum banner

DIRECTV Satellite Discussion DLA-1 @95W

41K views 213 replies 24 participants last post by  Ivanem23 
#1 ·
Satellite DLA-1 Intelsat 30 / DIRECTV Latin America 1

Finally, the FCC has granted authorization. The launch date has been confirmed for Octuber 16th and here are some pictures...






Regards,

PS: Does someone know what CATR and CGMOI stand for?
 
See less See more
4
#2 ·
egakagoc2xi said:
Gary,

I'm pretty sure this is not the place, but there isn't a thread for the ISDLA1.

Finally, the FCC has granted authorization. The launch date has been confirmed for Octuber 16th and here are some pictures...






Regards,

PS: Does someone know what CATR and CGMOI stand for?
What are we looking at? DIRECTV14?
Do we have a link?
 
#5 ·
And maybe someone else can answer, why the FCC filed data and other media releases for ISDLA1 & 2 keep listing only 72 Ku transponders available for DLA service on each bird, when the count is actually 80? (80 + 1 if the special TCN channel is included).

Totals for Ku band payload:

32 24Mhz Pan-Regional tps.
48 36MHz Regional tps.
1 8MHz TCN tp.
-------------------------------
80 (81)

Why are the oft- quoted Ku TPN listings 8 short this way? :confused:
 
#6 ·
HoTat2 said:
And maybe someone else can answer, why the FCC filed data and other media releases for ISDLA1 & 2 keep listing only 72 Ku transponders available for DLA service on each bird, when the count is actually 80? (80 + 1 if the special TCN channel is included).

Totals for Ku band payload:

32 24Mhz Pan-Regional tps.
48 36MHz Regional tps.
1 8MHz TCN tp.
-------------------------------
80 (81)

Why are the oft- quoted Ku TPN listings 8 short this way? :confused:
Jejeje, I have 2 years with the same doubt xD
 
#7 ·
This thread is dedicated to Directv Satellite DLA-1

which also referred to as: Intelsat 30 / Directv Latin America -1 / DLA-1 / IS30 / ISDLA1


The beam footprints for DLA-1 are available in Post #19 of the Beam Footprint Library thread in the Tips & Resources Forum.

At present the launch date is scheduled for October 16, 2014. It will have a profound impact for the Directv Panamericana Division which provides service to Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. It also includes El Caribe entities Aruba and Curacao, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Caribe Regional. Puerto Rico service has transitioned to US Domestic satellite resources.

This satellite will be followed in 2015 by IS31 / DLA-2, a second new satellite dedicated to Directv Latin America.

Both DLA-1 and DLA-2 will be co-located with the G3C satellite at 95 degrees West.
 
#10 ·
Gary Toma said:
This thread is dedicated to Directv Satellite DLA-1

which also referred to as: Intelsat 30 / Directv Latin America -1 / DLA-1 / IS30 / ISDLA1

The beam footprints for DLA-1 are available in Post #19 of the Beam Footprint Library thread in the Tips & Resources Forum.

At present the launch date is scheduled for October 16, 2014. It will have a profound impact for the Directv Panamericana Division which provides service to Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. It also includes El Caribe entities Aruba and Curacao, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Caribe Regional. Puerto Rico service has transitioned to US Domestic satellite resources.

This satellite will be followed in 2015 by IS31 / DLA-2, a second new satellite dedicated to Directv Latin America.

Both DLA-1 and DLA-2 will be co-located with the G3C satellite at 95 degrees West.
Gary, do you know how the EL Caribe entities receive HD?

Or did they ever receive any?

With HD having been long removed from Beam PR, do they only receive the handful (six presently) of HD channels on Beam Oeste?
 
#11 ·
HoTat2 said:
Gary, do you know how the EL Caribe entities receive HD?

Or did they ever receive any?

With HD having been long removed from Beam PR, do they only receive the handful (six presently) of HD channels on Beam Oeste?
As I recall, the El Caribe area (not to include Puerto Rico) receives only those 6 HD channels on Beam Oeste. They do not receive Beam Sur, which could provide an additional 36 HD channels. El Caribe also receives only FOX, ABC and NBC and those only in SD.

Last time I looked into this, they received a CBS feed via WSEE (from Erie, PA, would you believe) also in SD. So you would have a weather person in the studio in Erie, PA, dressed in a short sleeved shirt, delivering the Caribbean weather forecast. After the broadcast, the weather person drives home through two feet of snow...

Just checked and cannot find WSEE in the current Latin TPN Map. It would be great to hear from a local on this subject :)
 
#13 ·
HoTat2 said:
CATR --- SS/L's "Compact Antenna Test Range"

CGMOI --- SS/L's "Center of Gravity Moment Of Inertia" process facility.

Not sure of the nature or necessity of the testing or process for the later.
Determining the spacecraft Cg and moment of inertia and verifying that, as built, these characteristics fall within the design specification, are necessary for a number of reasons. First, it ensures that the launch vehicle will be able to maintain attitude control and stability during launch. Second, it ensures that once on-orbit, the spacecraft itself will be able to maintain attitude control during orbital maneuvers and operational activities.

Measurements can be done any number of ways - Cg can be figured with straightforward scales and measurements of the vehicle dimensions and simply determining the balance point. Moment of inertia is a somewhat more complicated concept - it boils down to the torque necessary to impart angular acceleration. This is important to know to calibrate control systems as well as to verify launch vehicle stability. Determining moment of inertia mathematically can be messy but doing it experimentally is pretty easy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_of_inertia#Calculating_moment_of_inertia_about_an_axis

The catch is that the axis about with you're measuring may be arbitrary and may not line up with the physical axes of of the spacecraft. That's why the Cg measurements are so important.
 
#14 ·
HoTat2 said:
And maybe someone else can answer, why the FCC filed data and other media releases for ISDLA1 & 2 keep listing only 72 Ku transponders available for DLA service on each bird, when the count is actually 80? (80 + 1 if the special TCN channel is included).

Totals for Ku band payload:

32 24Mhz Pan-Regional tps.
48 36MHz Regional tps.
1 8MHz TCN tp.
-------------------------------
80 (81)

Why are the oft- quoted Ku TPN listings 8 short this way? :confused:
Haven't looked at the data but "spare" transponders interfer with the count.
Also Functional Transponders require UPLINK capability and thus can affect "count"

Doctor j
 
#16 ·
A new Latin TPN Map has been posted in the Transponder Maps thread. For the first time, we have some records of the coming PAN Networks 3 and 4, which will be provided by DLA-1. A projected, new, Network Decoder is provided as a first glimpse of the coming new capabilities.
 
#17 ·
Intelsat 30 / DLA-1: the Journey Begins
By Jon Harborne, Senior Manager, Intelsat Spacecraft Program Office
First in a series from Intelsat team members overseeing the launch of Intelsat 30, which is hosting the DLA-1 payload for DirecTV Latin America.
I am pleased to report that Intelsat 30 arrived safe and sound at the launch base in French Guiana on Wednesday, 10 September. It was transported from SSL's manufacturing facility in Palo Alto, California by an Antonov-124, a Ukrainian plane with a large enough cargo bay to carry the satellite inside its shipping container (pictured).
Currently, the satellite is scheduled to launch on 16 October. Between now and then, there are many tasks to be completed to ensure the satellite is ready, literally, for lift-off. The first twelve days are taken up with checking that the spacecraft still performs flawlessly after its flight from California. To do this, we'll repeat the electrical functional tests that were conducted before the satellite was shipped, and also check that the propulsion system does not leak.
During the next seven days, Intelsat 30 will go to the fueling facility where its tanks will be filled with fuel and oxidizer. This is a hazardous operation with toxic chemicals and SSL's technicians are required to wear SCAPE suits to protect themselves during this process.
Intelsat 30 is scheduled to be launched on an Ariane V launch vehicle, along with another satellite, Arsat 1. A dual launch such as this brings with it some specific considerations, which I'll explain in my next post.

Source: http://www.intelsat.com/blog/intelsat-launches-blog/intelsat-30-dla-1-the-journey-begins
 
#18 ·
Preparations Continue for the Intelsat 30/DLA-1 Launch
By Jon Harborne, Senior Manager, Intelsat Spacecraft Program Office
Second in a series from Intelsat team members overseeing the launch of Intelsat 30, which is hosting the DLA-1 payload for DirecTV Latin America.
Things here in French Guiana are proceeding as planned. Intelsat 30/DLA-1 (IS-30/DLA-1) has successfully completed electrical testing, the propulsion system checks are in process and preparation activities are underway for filling the propellant tanks.
Our co-passenger Arsat-1 has completed its electrical tests, and is on track for its fueling operations, and the launch vehicle is undergoing system validation checks in the BIL (French acronym for Batiment d'Intégration Lanceur).
After the tanks of IS-30/DLA-1 have been loaded with fuel and oxidizer, the focus of the campaign will shift to integration of the satellite and its co-passenger, Arsat-1, onto the Ariane V launch vehicle. IS-30/DLA-1 will ride in the upper position on the launch vehicle, separated from Arsat-1 by a structure known by the French acronym, SYLDA (Système de Lancement Double Ariane).
The integration will take place in a tall building known as the BAF (French acronym for Final Assembly Building). First, IS-30/DLA-1 will be attached on top of the SYLDA, then the rocket fairing will be placed over the satellite and SYLDA. It may sound simple, but this series of steps takes five days to complete and must be performed very carefully with cross-checks at every stage.
After the integration of IS-30/DLA-1 is complete, the satellite and its co-passenger will be attached to the launch vehicle. Arsat-1 will be attached first, and then the composite of IS-30/DLA-1, the SYLDA and fairing will be integrated on top. This will bring us up to a week before the launch date.
During the final days prior to the launch, we will be busy with a launch day "dress rehearsal," transfer of the rocket from the BAF to the launch pad, final preparations, fuelling of the rocket and then, the launch itself!
Pictured, Jon in front of the satellite as it was being unloaded at Cayenne Airport.

Source: http://www.intelsat.com/blog/intelsat-launches-blog/preparations-continue-for-the-intelsat-30dla-1-launch/
 
#19 ·
egakagoc2xi said:
Satellite DLA-1 Intelsat 30 / DIRECTV Latin America 1

Finally, the FCC has granted authorization. The launch date has been confirmed for Octuber 16th and here are some pictures...




Some things never change.
The High Bays at SSL, Palo Alto, look exactly the same as they did 20 years ago.
Only the SATs look different.

BTW: they had to change their test range because they used to radiate the traffic on 101.
They now "bounce" off the walls of the high bay for their "compact" test range, and I bet the rush the hour traffic is healthier for it. :rolling:
 
#20 ·
veryoldschool said:
Some things never change.
The High Bays at SSL, Palo Alto, look exactly the same as they did 20 years ago.
Only the SATs look different.

BTW: they had to change their test range because they used to radiate the traffic on 101.
They now "bounce" off the walls of the high bay for their "compact" test range, and I bet the rush the hour traffic is healthier for it. :rolling:
But I wonder how they do it, since I imagine any such antenna test range on earth would really be "compact" compared to the actual distances involved in earth-to-GSO orbits?

Do they take beam measurements at various points in the CATR downrange from the antennas under test and then through what I guess is mathematical modeling, extrapolate how the footprint will look on earth over 23, 000 mi. away?
 
#21 ·
HoTat2 said:
But I wonder how they do it, since I imagine any such antenna test range on earth would really be "compact" compared to the actual distances involved in earth-to-GSO orbits?

Do they take beam measurements at various points in the CATR downrange from the antennas under test and then through what I guess is mathematical modeling, extrapolate how the footprint will look on earth over 23, 000 mi. away?
The short answer is they're only doing a functional test. The antenna patterns are done before mating to the SAT at another location.
 
#22 ·
Update:

Intelsat 30/DLA-1 continues to move forth to launch on schedule. If fact so well they can afford some recreational downtime for the launch teams involved.

Intelsat 30/DLA-1 Teams Come Together

By Jon Harborne, Senior Manager, Intelsat Spacecraft Program Office

Third in a series from Intelsat team members overseeing the launch of Intelsat 30, which is hosting the DLA-1 payload for DirecTV Latin America.
Intelsat 30/DLA-1 has successfully completed propulsion system checks, and preparation activities are underway for filling the propellant tanks.
Our co-passenger Arsat-1 has completed its electrical tests, and is on track for its fueling operations.
Currently, the launch vehicle is undergoing system validation checks in the BIL (French acronym for Bâtiment d'Intégration Lanceur), and is on track for transfer to the BAF (French acronym for Final Assembly Building) on 29 September.
With all systems running according to plan, the team here on the ground in French Guiana recently got together for some well-deserved down time organized by Arianespace, the launch provider. Taking part were team members from:
• Intelsat
• SSL (Intelsat 30/DLA-1 manufacturer)
• Arianespace
• Arsat (owner of the launch co-passenger)
• Centre National d'Études Spatiales (the French National Space Agency, CNES) / Centre Spatial Guyanais (French Guiana Space Center, CSG)
• Freelance Services (a company based here in French Guiana, whose mission is to provide campaign secretaries, out-of-office support and free time tour guides to personnel visiting French Guiana for satellite launch campaigns)
• INVAP (the manufacturer of the Argentine satellite for Arsat)
Sunday began with a two-hour hike along a trail in the rainforest in the morning. Later, we enjoyed a paella lunch at a forest shelter by the river, followed by various activities such as Petanque, volleyball, field skittles and river swimming.
This was a nice break for the team here as some have been working 24/7 here at launch base to get the satellite through its electrical, ADCS and propulsion testing to ensure the satellite is ready for fueling. For my part, I've been coordinating with Arianespace, CSG, SSL and Intelsat to verify the satellite is ready for fueling, address any satellite issues that may arise and to communicate status reports back to Intelsat and DIRECTV, our customer.
IS-30/DLA-1 has been three years in design and construction at SSL, and a lot of work went into defining the conceptual design before that. Now we are at the point at which the satellite is ready to be fueled and launched, the culmination of many years' work by a lot of people. It is exciting to be at this point in the process!
- See more at: http://www.intelsat.com/blog/intelsat-launches-blog/intelsat-30dla-1-teams-come-together/#sthash.cjI7YtIq.dpuf.
 
#23 ·
Why do some of those reflectors look bent?
Is this a fake picture?
Meaning, like a model version?
 
#25 ·
P Smith said:
Probably not fully deploy that time when the shot been taken.
The problem there P. Smith is the FCC docs. for IS30/DLA-1 list a total of 6 reflector type antennas for the satellite which are all for the Ku band payload and only 4 are stated as "deployable." The other two are stated as "fixed" in position and do not deploy after launch.

These appear to be the 6 seen in the photo taken at the CATR. And compared with other photos where the deployable antennas are in stowed position for launch, it appears the four larger undistorted reflectors are the deployable ones, whereas the fixed ones are the somewhat bent looking ones as damondIt points out.
 
#26 ·
Update:
IS30/DLA-1 now fully fueled and attachment to the payload adapter (called "First Mate") successfully done.
Everything still on schedule for the Oct. 16 launch.

Intelsat 30/DLA-1 Flight Mate: Check!

By Todd Schilb, Program Manager, Space Systems Acquisition
Fourth in a series from Intelsat team members overseeing the launch of Intelsat 30, which is hosting the DLA-1 payload for DirecTV Latin America.

We are now less than two weeks from the 16 October launch and are in the beginning stages of getting the booster ready to move to the launch pad for launch day.
As for Intelsat 30, now that Intelsat and SSL teams have completed standalone testing and fueling of the satellite, the next major phase of the launch campaign begins. This is the "combined operations" phase during which the integration of the satellite with the launch vehicle takes center stage.
The first operation to occur in this process is called the "flight mate" to the adaptor. The adaptor is the satellite interface to the booster; it includes the mechanical and electrical connections to the rocket. The adaptor has a sophisticated clamp band release system with springs that will send the satellite on its way after the upper stage of the booster has put it into the correct orbit for transfer to its final orbital position. We call this event "spacecraft separation" which you may recognize and will hear during the launch broadcast. When we hear "we have successful spacecraft separation" on launch day, we know the Ariane 5 has done its job and it is up to the spacecraft to continue the mission. So we can say that the last launch event begins with the first joint operation, which is "flight mate."
In this picture we can see the Arianespace team and the SSL team lowering Intelsat 30 onto the flight adaptor. This is considered a hazardous operation as the spacecraft is fully loaded with toxic, hypergolic propellants, and so each team member was specially selected to perform the key functions for this operation. I am happy to report that the operation was completed flawlessly, and the spacecraft is safely secured to the flight adaptor.
The next blog installment will include the transfer to the SYLDA (the Système de Lancement Double Ariane structure) and fairing encapsulation.
- See more at: http://www.intelsat.com/blog/intelsat-launches-blog/intelsat-30dla-1-flight-mate-check/#sthash.pQhOQ8zi.dpuf
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top