Jacques van Oene
November 15th 05, 11:24 PM
Sea Launch Signs with DIRECTV for Launch in 2007
Satellite will Expand Capacity for HD services
LONG BEACH, Calif., November 15, 2005 -- Sea Launch has signed a firm launch
contract with DIRECTV, for a mission scheduled in early 2007. The contract
includes an option for an additional launch.
The new contract calls for a Zenit-3SL vehicle to launch a DIRECTV
spacecraft to geosynchronous transfer orbit from Sea Launch's Odyssey Launch
Platform, positioned on the Equator. Sea Launch's reliable direct insertion
into equatorial orbit is expected to yield additional years of life for this
spacecraft.
The DIRECTV spacecraft, with a mass of about 6080 kg, is one of three Boeing
702 model spacecraft DIRECTV has ordered from The Boeing Company and is
among the largest and most powerful Ka-band satellites ever built. The new
satellite will optimize DIRECTV's advanced transmission techniques and
state-of-the-art video compression technology. It will deliver national
high-definition (HD) programming and will be capable of supporting spot
beams carrying local HD broadcast channels in all 50 states.
DIRECTV is in the process of launching several spacecraft to expand its
capacity to serve the growing market for satellite-delivered, HD television
in the United States. This is the seventh new contract Sea Launch has signed
in 2005 and the fourth launch contract award for a mission with DIRECTV.
Most recently, Sea Launch successfully delivered the Spaceway 1 satellite to
orbit, on April 26, 2005. Earlier launches include the DIRECTV 7S satellite
on May 4, 2004, and the DIRECTV 1R satellite on October 9, 1999.
"With three successful launches to date for DIRECTV, Sea Launch is proud to
be entrusted with yet another spacecraft launch to occur in early 2007,"
said Jim Maser, president of Sea Launch. "From local-to-local broadcast to
HD television, which is taking off in the United States, we are excited to
be a part of DIRECTV's evolution and future. We are very pleased to include
this award as our sixth addition of a commercial spacecraft to our growing
backlog this year."
"Dependability and the commitment to meet our scheduling needs are two
attributes that we value in a launch service provider," said Jim
Butterworth, senior vice president, Communications Systems, DIRECTV, Inc.
"Sea Launch has consistently delivered with three successful launches within
our time schedule requirements that enabled us to move forward with key
programming initiatives, such as the current expansion of local and national
HD programming."
Sea Launch Company, LLC, headquartered in Long Beach, Calif., is the world's
most reliable heavy-lift commercial launch service. This international
partnership offers the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary
orbit. With the advantage of a launch site on the Equator, the reliable
Zenit-3SL rocket can lift a heavier spacecraft mass or provide longer life
on orbit, offering best value plus schedule assurance. For additional
information and images of this successfully completed mission, visit the Sea
Launch website at: www.sea-launch.com
###
Contact:
Paula Korn
562.499.4729 or 562.254.5684 (mobile)
--
--------------
Jacques :-)
www.spacepatches.info
Satellite will Expand Capacity for HD services
LONG BEACH, Calif., November 15, 2005 -- Sea Launch has signed a firm launch
contract with DIRECTV, for a mission scheduled in early 2007. The contract
includes an option for an additional launch.
The new contract calls for a Zenit-3SL vehicle to launch a DIRECTV
spacecraft to geosynchronous transfer orbit from Sea Launch's Odyssey Launch
Platform, positioned on the Equator. Sea Launch's reliable direct insertion
into equatorial orbit is expected to yield additional years of life for this
spacecraft.
The DIRECTV spacecraft, with a mass of about 6080 kg, is one of three Boeing
702 model spacecraft DIRECTV has ordered from The Boeing Company and is
among the largest and most powerful Ka-band satellites ever built. The new
satellite will optimize DIRECTV's advanced transmission techniques and
state-of-the-art video compression technology. It will deliver national
high-definition (HD) programming and will be capable of supporting spot
beams carrying local HD broadcast channels in all 50 states.
DIRECTV is in the process of launching several spacecraft to expand its
capacity to serve the growing market for satellite-delivered, HD television
in the United States. This is the seventh new contract Sea Launch has signed
in 2005 and the fourth launch contract award for a mission with DIRECTV.
Most recently, Sea Launch successfully delivered the Spaceway 1 satellite to
orbit, on April 26, 2005. Earlier launches include the DIRECTV 7S satellite
on May 4, 2004, and the DIRECTV 1R satellite on October 9, 1999.
"With three successful launches to date for DIRECTV, Sea Launch is proud to
be entrusted with yet another spacecraft launch to occur in early 2007,"
said Jim Maser, president of Sea Launch. "From local-to-local broadcast to
HD television, which is taking off in the United States, we are excited to
be a part of DIRECTV's evolution and future. We are very pleased to include
this award as our sixth addition of a commercial spacecraft to our growing
backlog this year."
"Dependability and the commitment to meet our scheduling needs are two
attributes that we value in a launch service provider," said Jim
Butterworth, senior vice president, Communications Systems, DIRECTV, Inc.
"Sea Launch has consistently delivered with three successful launches within
our time schedule requirements that enabled us to move forward with key
programming initiatives, such as the current expansion of local and national
HD programming."
Sea Launch Company, LLC, headquartered in Long Beach, Calif., is the world's
most reliable heavy-lift commercial launch service. This international
partnership offers the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary
orbit. With the advantage of a launch site on the Equator, the reliable
Zenit-3SL rocket can lift a heavier spacecraft mass or provide longer life
on orbit, offering best value plus schedule assurance. For additional
information and images of this successfully completed mission, visit the Sea
Launch website at: www.sea-launch.com
###
Contact:
Paula Korn
562.499.4729 or 562.254.5684 (mobile)
--
--------------
Jacques :-)
www.spacepatches.info