D10 Satellite TECH THREAD - HD Testing Schedule / Press Releases / Location

Sixto · 07-06-07, 01:47 PM

With the launch of the D10 satellite, there will be the constant question of "when will the D10 satellite go 'live' and start beaming ~100 channels of HD?"

Here's what we officially know ... will update this post as more information becomes available:

Real-time location of D10 (cool!): http://www.n2yo.com/?s=31862

6/7/07 - D* FCC Letter #1: http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/servlet/i...nt_key=-130667

DIRECTV 10 is fully constructed and scheduled for launch early next month (July).
DIRECTV desires to conduct IOT for approximately four weeks before moving the satellite slightly to its licensed position to begin commercial operations.
Specifically, DIRECTV contemplates the following schedule [with approximate dates indicated in brackets] ...
After launch and orbit raising maneuvers, DIRECTV 10 will be located at 102.6° W.L. [on or about August 17, 2007].
After DIRECTV 10 reaches 102.6° W.L., DIRECTV will then commence IOT of the satellite [from about August 17, 2007 to September 12, 2007].
After IOT is completed, DIRECTV 10 will then be drifted to its assigned location over the course of approximately three days [reaching that orbital position on or about September 15, 2007]

7/7/07 - Official Launch Press Release from D*: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix....344&highlight=

7/7/07 - Official Launch Press Release from Boeing: http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/...70707d_nr.html

7/23/07 - D* FCC Grant of Authority: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...-07-3445A1.txt

Accordingly, DIRECTV IS AUTHORIZED, for thirty days commencing August 10

8/15/07 - D10 reaches Test Location at 102.6°: http://www.n2yo.com/?s=31862

8/16/07 - D* FCC Letter #2: http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/servlet/i...nt_key=-134304

However, DIRECTV is ahead of this schedule and will be ready to commence moving DIRECTV 10 to 102.775 W.L. on or about September 1.

8/20/07 - D* DVR's begin to receive "Are you High Definition Ready?" recording

References www.directv.com/hdcheck for more information
Need 5-LNB Dish, HD Receiver (H20/HR20), and B-Band Converter Module (BBC) (or Single Wire Multiswitch- SWM)

8/30/07 - D* FCC Grant of Authority: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...-07-3811A1.txt

Accordingly, DIRECTV IS AUTHORIZED, for a period of 60 days commencing on September 1, 2007
to relocate the DIRECTV 10 satellite to 102.775º W.L. orbital location

9/12/07 - D10 Reaches 102.775 position and first signals received on Transponder (TP) 11 for the 103(b) Satellite

mhayes70 · 07-06-07, 01:50 PM

Thanks for the info Sixto!!!

Azalo · 07-06-07, 01:51 PM

so we might have 100 HD channels tommorrow? cool, i'll check my guide.

mhayes70 · 07-06-07, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azalo

so we might have 100 HD channels tommorrow? cool, i'll check my guide.

No, they said by the end of this year. We won't see any new HD channels from this Sat until or around Sept 15, 2007.

ohills · 07-06-07, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azalo

so we might have 100 HD channels tommorrow? cool, i'll check my guide.

1999cobra · 07-06-07, 06:57 PM

Awesome - so when will we have, HD locals in the NorthEast kingdom - Vermont??? How about a Red Sox game in HD ???

Just Sayin'

moonman · 07-06-07, 07:01 PM

Ch 570 just lit up

Sixto · 07-07-07, 06:50 AM

The official press release:

"DIRECTV 10 Launch A Giant Leap for HD"

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix....344&highlight=

n3ntj · 07-07-07, 10:59 AM

Launch was successful and looks like all is going as planned as of this morning. Was cool to see the 1 hour program last night including the launch. I think some of those people had never been on camera before. Hi.

Congrats to D* and ILS. Can't wait til D10 is turned on and put into service in Sept.

Any idea if when D10 is in its proper location and turned on and D* starts doing testing, if we'll be able to monitor anything on the ground either via signal meter for a specific transponder, for example?

BobbyK · 07-07-07, 11:02 AM

The DIRECTV 10 satellite has sent its first on-orbit signals to the Boeing Mission Control Center in El Segundo, Calif., indicating that the satellite is healthy and operating normally.
http://www.technologynewsdaily.com/node/7351

Dolly · 07-07-07, 11:05 AM

**Michael D'Angelo** · 07-07-07, 11:05 AM

Thanks for the link. Sounds like great news.

Inches · 07-07-07, 11:22 AM

Just took a picture of my 103 signal strength screen, so will be checking when the NA's change to a value greater than 0.

n3ntj · 07-07-07, 11:23 AM

Once D10 is in its orbital slot (or before), will we be able to monitor anything relating to D10? Such as signal strength on a specific 103 deg transponder dedicated to D10?

ScoBuck · 07-07-07, 11:25 AM

I'm guessing that the info is the same - but here is the link to Boeings 'official' press release.

http://www.boeing.com/ids/news/2007/q3/070707d_nr.html

good news all around (unless your charlie I think)

cforrest · 07-07-07, 11:28 AM

Boeing confirmation the Satellite is in good shape & all systems go!

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/...70707d_nr.html

Boeing-Built DIRECTV 10 Satellite Delivers First Signals from Space

ST. LOUIS, July 07, 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today confirmed that the DIRECTV 10 satellite has sent its first on-orbit signals to the Boeing Mission Control Center in El Segundo, Calif., indicating that the satellite is healthy and operating normally.

An International Launch Services Proton Breeze M vehicle launched the satellite yesterday at 9:16 p.m. EDT (1:16 GMT July 7) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The ground station in Hartebeesthoek, South Africa, reported spacecraft acquisition 9 hours, 49 minutes later.

Boeing's advanced telecommunications technology aboard the 702 model satellite will expand DIRECTV's national and local high-definition services across the continental United States, Hawaii and Alaska.

"This is the eighth satellite we've delivered for DIRECTV, which will provide unprecedented local and national high-definition television to DIRECTV customers," said Howard Chambers, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "We've provided DIRECTV satellites since 1993, and we look forward to completing the on-orbit maneuvers and tests of this newest spacecraft. Once on-orbit testing is complete, we'll hand over the satellite to DIRECTV, and they can put it into service for the 16 million DIRECTV customers who recognize the value of this space-based broadcasting system."

DIRECTV 10, one of three next-generation satellites Boeing is building for DIRECTV, features state-of-the-art antenna and payload subsystems and a 48-meter solar array, resulting in 18,000 watts of spacecraft power.

krock918316 · 07-07-07, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n3ntj

Once D10 is in its orbital slot (or before), will we be able to monitor anything relating to D10? Such as signal strength on a specific 103 deg transponder dedicated to D10?

I don't think so. I can't find where I read it, but I think I remember seeing that it will be parked just outside of it's orbital slot for testing. I believe the date was sometime in the middle of August for D10 to arrive in it's D* testing orbit, then it will be drifted into it's service orbit once it is done testing.

If I can find the link, I'll post it here.

convem24 · 07-07-07, 12:06 PM

Bring on the HD baby! This might give me a reason to get a 50 inch plasma. I can't wait until September!

mitchelljd · 07-07-07, 01:09 PM

Yes i like satellites... very much!

wish tehre was a way for me to insert a Borat picture.

JLucPicard · 07-07-07, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitchelljd

wish there was a way for me to insert a Borat picture.

Don't bother. That's been WAY overdone already in these threads.

MikeR7 · 07-07-07, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScoBuck

I'm guessing that the info is the same - but here is the link to Boeings 'official' press release.

http://www.boeing.com/ids/news/2007/q3/070707d_nr.html

good news all around (unless your charlie I think)

I am sure that Harsh will have something really positive to say!

RAD · 07-07-07, 03:26 PM

Here's a site where you can track D10's location, http://www.n2yo.com/?s=31862

Sixto · 07-07-07, 03:35 PM

Added Real-time location of D10 to 1st post (cool!): http://www.n2yo.com/?s=31862

HDTVsportsfan · 07-07-07, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeR7

I am sure that Harsh will have something really positive to say!

As always.

**Tom Robertson** · 07-07-07, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n3ntj

Once D10 is in its orbital slot (or before), will we be able to monitor anything relating to D10? Such as signal strength on a specific 103 deg transponder dedicated to D10?

Possibly. It is just outside of its normal location, you might get a blip--but, the receivers are likely told to ignore the transponders right now. So you'd need a Ka-lo band signal meter to see anything.

Cheers,
Tom