Still No Launch Date For DirecTV 11

Yesterday saw the launch date for DirecTV 11 satellite come and go; without any launch at all. One day prior to the launch, Sea Launch, the sea-based mobile launching system company in charge of the launch, put a hold on operations, stating that there was an issue that required further study and analysis of collected data before the launch could go ahead.

According the Robert Mercer from DirecTV, this delay will not have any impact on plans to expand into HD.

After the launch does occur, the DirecTV 11 comsat will mean Sea Launch has deployed four satellites for DirecTV. This new satellite is based on the Boeing 702 model which has advanced xenon ion propulsion systems (XIPS) and will be one of the most powerful Ka-band satellites to have been sent up yet.

With just six electrical connectors, this common bus module, with a payload module mount, satellite requires only four locations, and is suited to customer customization with modularity. The frequency should be somewhere around 99.2° W, which is co-located with the Spaceway-2 satellite.

According to the Wikipedia Portal and Spaceflight page, the 19th of March, between 22:49 and 23:47 GMT, is the next possible launch time for the DirecTV 11 from Sea Launch’s Zenit-3SL vehicle, however this is yet to be confirmed by Sea Launch.

Story link: Still No Launch Date For DirecTV 11