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DISH Network's EchoStar XI successfully reaches orbit
It's official: the AMC-14 debacle can be pushed aside from the rear of your mind, as DISH Network's most recent launch went off without a hitch. Sea Launch has announced this morning that EchoStar XI, which lifted off late last night, has successfully reached orbit. Shortly after cruising was complete, operators at the Gnangara ground station in Perth, Australia "acquired the spacecraft's first signals from orbit." It's noted that "all systems performed nominally throughout the mission," and it looks as if we should have 15 years of uninterrupted service from this one just as soon as it goes into action... which will hopefully happen sooner rather than later.[Via Reuters]
Countdown to EchoStar XI liftoff begins, live webcast starting soon
Just a friendly reminder for you folks with nothing better to do on a Tuesday evening than watch a satellite get airborne: DISH Network's EchoStar XI lifts off tonight at around 10:21PM PT (that's 1:21AM ET on July 16 for those on the east coast), and as usual, the whole thing will be broadcast live on the web. Hopefully we won't have bad news to report on in the morning, but considering the fate of the AMC-14, we aren't crossing that possibility out entirely.[Via Spaceflight Now, thanks VANBROTHERS]
DISH Network's EchoStar XI lifts off on July 15th
For those of you who dedicate a few waking moments to tracking satellite launches (oh yes, we know you're out there), here's another one for your push-pin chart. DISH Network's EchoStar XI, which we already knew would be leaving this stratosphere in the summer, will be lifting off on July 15th. If everything goes to plan, rockets will fire just prior to 10:21PM PDT, with a two-hour window for launch. Should it make it to space (we haven't forgotten about the AMC-14 just yet), a 72-hour countdown will ensue, during which a series of tests will (hopefully) be completed. The bird has been designed to live in orbit for some 15 years and provide DISH Network subscribers with more (HD) content, though we aren't sure just yet how long it'll be before it's really put to good use. Got those fingers crossed? Good.
DirecTV 11 satellite tests out 17/24 GHz BSS bands
DirecTV looks to make the most of DirecTV 11's test period, before things go live in September, testing out an experimental payload at a second test location. While the satcaster collects readings on recently-allocated bandwidth and other satellite traffic to plan future launches (adding even more channels, or maybe 1080p broadcast television), we'll just keep twiddling our thumbs. Specifications, speculation and all other data necessary to satisfy the satellite geek within resides beyond the read link.[Thanks, sixto]
DISH Network's EchoStar XI heads to Sea Launch for summer liftoff
While we patiently wait for EchoStar XV to lift off in 2010, it seems the countdown for EchoStar XI is much, much closer. Space Systems/Loral has just announced delivery of said satellite to Sea Launch's home port in Long Beach, California. The 20-kW bird will be used to "expand capacity for DISH Network," and while a definitive launch date isn't mentioned, we are told that it should blast off sometime this summer. According to Rohan Zaveri, Vice President of Space Programs for DISH Network, there is "a good deal of anticipation as it gears up for the EchoStar XI launch," and considering the fate of the AMC-14, we'd surmise a good deal of nail-biting, too.[Image courtesy of Sea Launch]
DirecTV 11 phones home, HD clock starts ticking
Normally, we wouldn't go out of our way to pass along news that a recently launched satellite had phoned home, but given the nervousness felt by many after DISH Network's AMC-14 failed to reach its intended orbit, we figured we'd toss out some extra reassurance. As of early this morning, the D11 satellite made contact with a ground station in Hartebeesthoek, South Africa, signaling that it was "healthy and operating normally." Of course, there's no way to tell exactly what day the sat will begin dishing out more HD to more subscribers, but we reckon the conjecturing can officially begin. Psst... it took 81 days before DirecTV 10 began serving up HD.[Thanks, K Shoup and syphix]
DirecTV 11 satellite launch deemed a success
Unlike the AMC-14 launch that went awry just days ago, the DirecTV 11 launch went off sans a hitch. According to a new release on Sea Launch's website, D11 was "successfully delivered into orbit" after lifting off right on schedule, and all systems were said to have "performed nominally throughout the flight." Currently, the crew is awaiting acquisition of the spacecraft's first signals from outer space, which should occur within the next few hours. So far, so good -- the countdown to more HD for more DTV subscribers starts now.
DirecTV 11 launch officially on for tomorrow
Confirming previously uncovered information, Boeing has officially announced the oft-delayed DirecTV 11 will launch tomorrow, in a 58-minute window starting at 3:48 p.m. (PDT). Hopefully everything is ready to go this time, we wouldn't want any unexpected issues causing further delays in getting more HD channels to the people.[Thanks, Rob]
DirecTV 11 gears up for March 17th launch
It's nearly time, folks. We've been counting down to March for some time now, and while we knew the DirecTV 11 satellite was undergoing final preparations for launch, we still had no idea exactly what day it was set to blast off -- until now. Reportedly, the "Odyssey Launch Platform and the Sea Launch Commander have departed Sea Launch Home Port for the equatorial Pacific," and the liftoff is expected to occur within a 58-minute window at 3:49PM PT on Monday, March 17th. Best of all, live coverage of the mission will be available as of 3:30PM on the same day, so those with nothing better to do can check this thing out as it goes down just weeks from now.
DirecTV 11 undergoes mission preparation, gets pictured
Considering that DirecTV 11 was actually delayed until Q1 of 2008, we're a bit antsy to see it actually lift off this go 'round. Needless to say, the half dozen images of the rocket being rolled onto the launch deck and erected on the launch pad during final testing is a pretty good sign that things are going to plan. No word yet on exactly when this thing will head for space, but judging by the shots in the read link, we're guessing it'll be sooner rather than later.[Thanks, Vanbrothers]
Sea Launch officially preparing for DirecTV 11 launch in March
We had a hunch DirecTV's next bird would be departing from our sight sometime in March, and sure enough, a new note on the Sea Launch website confirms that preparations are being made to blast D11 off into orbit next month. As if that wasn't proof enough, the "Current Launch" section of the site details the entire mission and provides a link to tune in via streaming video once the trip is underway. Hang tight, DTV subscribers -- it seems that even more HD will be on the way sooner rather than later.[Thanks, Jeremy K.]
DirecTV 11 satellite set to launch in March?
If the successful launch of the Thuraya-3 mobile communications satellite -- combined with Earl Bonovich's expertise -- is any indication of the future, we'd say the DirecTV 11 has a decent shot of lifting off in March. Apparently, the aforementioned bird was the only one left to be launched before the D11 was given its turn, and sure enough, Sea Launch has just recently issued a release confirming that the Thuraya-3 has found its way into orbit. Of course, we won't see any new channels for awhile even after it goes galactic, but folks over at DBSTalk are already placing wagers as to the when D11 will head for the stars. Gear up, DirecTV users -- it seems that even more programming (or at least broader coverage) is coming soon(ish).Read - DBSTalk: Q1 D11 launchRead - Sea Launch Delivers Thuraya-3 Satellite to Orbit
Hard luck for satellite industry last week
As much as we love to live in our own little bubbles, consuming gobs of bandwidth and never giving back, there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes -- as evidenced by that recent internet hacking attempt that was rebuffed so brilliantly. That's why it pains us to hear of recent satellite failures that are not only damaging to the companies involved to the tune of millions of dollars, but could also even impact us in the long run. Totally unacceptable. Sea Launch got the travesties started with a dramatic explosion at its ocean launch platform and the complete disintegration of the Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket that was carrying a Boeing-built communications satellite designed to bring broadband to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and Asia. Not only does this put the kibosh on those plans, but could also impact DirecTV satellite launches later this year. The other bad news comes from GlobalStar, whose recent SEC filing reveals problems with S-band antennas across its satellite fleet, possibly due to irradiation in orbit. The upshot of this is that even with eight spare satellites being launched in 2007, GlobalStar's 2-way phone coverage is in serious jeopardy, with call quality and times already on the outs, and no-coverage patches soon to emerge. There's no fix in sight yet, so GlobalStar might have to accelerate plans to launch its next-gen wave of satellites, which could seriously impact the bottom line. So peep the Sea Launch explosion video after the break, mourn the hardship it implies for the satellite industry, and then go back to your own little "crossing the street while listening to your iPod" world.[Via Techdirt]Read - Sea Launch explosionRead - GlobalStar service problems
Sea Launch Explosion may delay DirecTV's 100 HD channels
DirecTV has promised 100 new HD channels in 2007 and in order for them to make that happen they have to launch a few new MPEG4 capable satellites this year; DirecTV10 and DirecTV11. While D10 is supposed to go up via a ground launch D11 is scheduled to be launched by Sea Launch. Sea Launch suffered a set back yesterday that may or may not impact the launch of D11. Of course D10 has alot of HD capacity, they need both for the future of DirecTV. Yesterday during a launch of another satellite (not DirecTV's) the rocked exploded on the launch pad. No one was hurt because no one was on the pad at the time, but we will all have to wait to see if this impacts all that HD goodness we are waiting for.[Via DBSTalk.com]
