[jimbo713]

The new DirecTV9S DBS satellite - built by Space Systems/Loral for the nation's
largest satellite TV provider - successfully took flight on a day that
traditionally has given people cause to worry. On Friday the 13th, DirecTV9S
utilized an Ariane 5 ECA rocket to carry it into geosynchronous transfer orbit from
Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

According to DirecTV, expanding it's fleet of satellites with DirecTV9S will
provide the company extra flexibility to maximize services via multiple frequency
bands and the ability to power local service from multiple orbital slots.

"Our work with Space Systems/Loral and the addition of DirecTV9S will help us
ensure that we have a robust and technically advanced satellite fleet to maintain
that level of quality," said Phil Goswitz, VP of space and communications for
DirecTV.

The satellite, a version of SS/L's 1300 satellite platform designed for DirecTV's
payload requirements is similar to DirecTV7S - launched in May 2004 - with the
addition of two Ka-band transponders, the companies said.

Weighing approximately 5,530 kg at liftoff, DirecTV9S will be positioned at 101
degrees West longitude and is fitted with 52 high-power Ku-band transponders and 2
Ka-band transponders. With a design life of 15 years, the satellite will provide
direct broadcasts for high-quality local and national digital video service using
advanced digital compression technology.

 

[litzdog911]

DirecTV 9S will provide backup for the current satellites at 101-deg W. It's not expected to boost the HD channel capacity in the near future.

 

[litzdog911]

More info about 9S here ....
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=66405

 

[mluntz]

DirecTV 9S will provide backup for the current satellites at 101-deg W. It's not expected to boost the HD channel capacity in the near future.

Great. More shopping channels!:nono2:

 

[Jeremy W]

Great. More shopping channels!:nono2:

No, it won't give us any more channels at all.

 

[RAD]

Doesn't anyone search for previous threads on this topic?

 

[litzdog911]

Doesn't anyone search for previous threads on this topic?

Where's the fun in that???

 

[Jeremy W]

Where's the fun in that???

I don't know, I think it's pretty fun to be able to pretend like I know what I'm talking about. :lol:

 

[bpayne]

No HD is on the way. DirecTV has been mum (at least to me) on what they'd use 2 KA-band transponders for at the 101.0 slot. They're resorting to the old "for future use" message.

Even if they decided to use them now, no one could take advantage of them. Nobody that I know has a KA-band LNB positioned at the 101.0 position to pick up that signal.

We'd all need new LNBs.

 

[Jeremy W]

DirecTV has been mum (at least to me) on what they'd use 2 KA-band transponders for at the 101.0 slot.

That's funny, they've told everyone else. They're for internal backhaul.

 

[old_skul]

Sure wish they'd put an HD sat at the 101 slot, since it seems that's the only one I have line-of-sight on.

 

[RAD]

Sure wish they'd put an HD sat at the 101 slot, since it seems that's the only one I have line-of-sight on.

What about 99 and 103 since that's where the D10/D11 satellites are to go and D* is saying they're for HD.

 

[litzdog911]

Sure wish they'd put an HD sat at the 101 slot, since it seems that's the only one I have line-of-sight on.

You must have a pretty narrow shot at the 101-deg satellite. The new Ka-band satellites are very close to 101 in the sky at 99-deg and 103-deg.