SEA LAUNCH PRESS RELEASE
Sea Launch Company successfully delivered the DIRECTV 11 broadcast satellite to orbit from its ocean-based equatorial platform. A Zenit-3SL rocket lifted off at 3:48 pm PDT (22:48 GMT) from the Odyssey Launch Platform. 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.
“I congratulate DIRECTV on today’s successful launch,” said Rob Peckham, president and general manager of Sea Launch. “This is our fourth successful launch for DIRECTV and we’re proud to be a part of your achievements. We look forward to future opportunities to contribute to your continued success. This is the 16th Boeing-built spacecraft we’ve launched and, as always, it’s a pleasure working with the Boeing satellite team.
DIRECTV 11 is one of three recent Boeing 702-model spacecraft built for DIRECTV and is among the largest and most powerful Ka-band satellites built to date. The on-board technology of this direct-to-home satellite will enable DIRECTV to continue to expand its industry-leading lineup of quality high-definition television (HDTV) programming.
DIRECTV 11, combined with the DIRECTV 10 satellite already in orbit, will provide DIRECTV with the capacity for 150 national HD channels and will be capable of supporting spot beams carrying 1,500 local HD channels.
Loading ...