[Gary Toma]

Below is just a snippet of the DIRECTV filing May 8,2012, to de-orbit Satellite D1R.

Compete data is available at
http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...&acct=624514&id_form_num=9&filing_key=-242134

5. Type Request

Change Station Location

Extend Expiration Date

Other
6. Temporary Orbit Location
109.8 W.L.
7. Requested Extended Expiration Date
2012-07-08 00:00:00.0
8. Description DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC hereby requests an extension of its STA for up to sixty days to (1) continue to stationkeep the DIRECTV 1R spacecraft at 109.8 W.L. and then (2) de-orbit the spacecraft, and to preform TT&C operations during these maneuvers.

 

[HoTat2]

Yep, the old gal served us well. Thanks for the memories.

Guess DIRECTV changed their mind about using it's remaining lifetime as an in orbit spare for D5 at 110 ...

Funny how they still keep referring to it as "de-orbit" as though they're bringing it down into the earth's atmosphere for a burn up or something. What it really means is to be moved out of the Clarke Belt into a higher disposal or "graveyard" orbit after having all its internal systems shutdown and/or "safed."

 

[CCarncross]

Don't forget that they are de-orbiting it from Geo-synchronous orbit...so its accurate. I know we imagine it as Sputnik crashing to earth.

 

[P Smith]

Scanning 110W frequencies ...

I see all three DTV tpns 28/30/32 (virtual 8/10/12) are modulated and alive.

Only tp8 has normal mux with channels and system info.

These tpns what are without info are 8PSK Turbo.

 

[LameLefty]

Below is just a snippet of the DIRECTV filing May 8,2012, to de-orbit Satellite D1R.

Yep. I posted about it yesterday afternoon. Thirteen years is a pretty good run, all things considered.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=3014399#post3014399

 

[Gary Toma]

Here's the FCC Narrative of 8/17/12, attached.

Appears D1R is now going into Russian service!

 

[trh]

I didn't realize the satellites had that much fuel onboard. It started at 101W, then moved to 72.5W then moved to 110W and now to 56E before it will be sent to a disposal orbit.

 

[P Smith]

It will travel long way to 56.16° E.

 

[tuff bob]

Nice bit of unexpected bonus cash for DirecTV you'd have to think

 

[Racer88]

Wow, it's like an outer space Timex commercial. It just keeps on ticking.

The little satellite that could...

 

[HoTat2]

I didn't realize the satellites had that much fuel onboard. It started at 101W, then moved to 72.5W then moved to 110W and now to 56E before it will be sent to a disposal orbit.

Probably doesn't have that much fuel left, as its destined to use a fuel saving inclined geosynchronous orbit like Bonum I is already using for this last 1+ year mission.

Related:

Notice of DIRECTV STA application to use their [STRIKE]East Coast Uplink facility (ECUF)

See here http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=3043361#post3043361[/STRIKE]

Correction, rechecked the coordinates in the application and its the Castle Rock Uplink/broadcast facility, not the ECUF for TT&C backup of IntelSat's primary facilities for the initial transfer as far as 52 degrees EL.

REQUEST FOR SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY
Call Sign: E930304

DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC ("DIRECTV") hereby requests Special Temporary
Authority ("STA") for up to sixty (60) days beginning on or about September 3, 2012, to
conduct telemetry, tracking and control ("TT&C") operations with the DIRECTV 1R
satellite during the initial phase of its drift from the 109.8° W.L. orbital location to its
new location at 56.16° E.L. This earth station will provide back-up TT&C capabilities in
support of the primary services provided by Intelsat. ...

http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=963875

 

[fleckrj]

It will travel long way to 56.16° E.

Yes, but it is not like the satellite is using its own fuel to move half way around the world. All it has to do to get there is to go to a higher orbit, wait for the earth's rotation to move under the satellite, and then fall back to a geosyncronous orbit at 56.16° E. I realize that I oversimplify what it takes to park it exactly where it is wanted, but the process does not need to utilize a lot of fuel. It is a matter of short bursts at precise times.

 

[P Smith]

Then you shouldn't quote me - I know how the maneuver executing (yes there more interesting stage at the end, like a fly over and get back - see my posts when D12 or D11 traveled) and I didn't mention fuel at all.

 

[Sixto]

The latest on D1R (8/24/2012):

"DIRECTV hereby amends its application for authority to operate DIRECTV 1R at 56.16 E.L. to reflect updated information on its relocation and associated effect on remaining life of the satellite."

http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=964540

"In its original application, DIRECTV indicated its expectation that the satellite would be drifted to 56.16º E.L. such that it would be in place to begin commercial operation on or about January 15, 2013. That schedule has now been accelerated slightly. The new plan calls for the satellite to reach its new orbital location on or about December 22, 2012, and to begin commercial operations on January 1, 2013. In addition, the faster drift rate will consume approximately 2 kg more fuel, which will reduce the estimated remaining useful life of the spacecraft. Based on the amount of fuel remaining after relocation to the 56.16° E.L. orbital location, assuming inclined orbit operations and reserving sufficient remainder to achieve a disposal orbit approximately 300 km above geosynchronous altitude, DIRECTV currently estimates that the satellite will have a remaining useful life of approximately 3.5 years, rather than 4.5 years as originally estimated."​

 

[P Smith]

Interesting math: 2 kg of fuel equal 1 year of life for inclined GSO.
Simple extrapolation: for 15 years of 'easy' life the sat should spend 300 kg (0.3 tonne) of fuel.
Now what would be amount if the sat must stay in a 'box' ?

 

[HoTat2]

"Second Minor Amendment" to D1R filed on 9/13/2012:

http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=966099

Schedule S is in an MS database format.

SECOND MINOR AMENDMENT TO DIRECTV 1R APPLICATION

DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC ("DIRECTV") has filed an application for authority
to operate DIRECTV 1R, a satellite in the Direct Broadcasting Satellite ("DBS") service,
at the 56.16º E.L. orbital location, as well as a minor amendment to reflect updated
information on its plan for drifting the satellite to its new location and the resulting
impact on remaining life of the satellite. For various reasons, including considerations
related to international spectrum coordination, DIRECTV has decided that locating the
satellite at 55.8º E.L. and slightly re-pointing the beams would be preferable.
Accordingly, in this Application, DIRECTV amends its pending application to
request authority to operate at this slightly different orbital location, and submits both
revised link budgets and revised antenna gain contours in the attached Schedule S that
reflect this change in position. In accordance with Section 25.117(d)(1) of the
Commission's rules, DIRECTV identifies in this Application only those items of
information that should be changed from its pending application. DIRECTV hereby
certifies that the remaining information in its application (as amended) has not changed.