DirecTV-4S

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

00:35:00

Tuesday November 27, 2001

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Last launch of Ariane 44LP. Flight V145.

DirecTV-4S

Wiki

DirecTV, Inc. ordered DirecTV-4S, another Boeing BSS-601HP satellite, in December 1999. It is the fifth Boeing satellite to be built for DirecTV. It was successfully launched on an Ariane-44LP H10-3 on 26 November 2001 and entered service on 27 December 2001. DirecTV-4S is the first spacecraft in the DirecTV fleet to use highly focused spot beam technology, which enables DirecTV to expand its local channel offerings in metropolitan markets. DirecTV-4S also further strengthens DirecTV's in-orbit redundancy. DirecTV-4S operates at the Ku-band frequency and carries two payloads: spot beams for local channels, and a national beam payload. The spot beam payload uses a total of 38 traveling wave-tube amplifiers (TWTAs), powered by a combination of 30-watt, 45-watt, 65-watt, and 88-watt TWTAs. The national beam payload carries two active transponders with further capability for two active high-power and six active low-power transponders.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

4,260 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Ariane 44LP

Active 1988 to 2001

European Space Agency logo

Manufacturer

ESA

Rocket

Diameter: 3.8m

Height: 58.72m

Payload to Orbit

GTO: 4,220 kg

Liftoff Thrust

5,800 Kilonewtons

Stages

3

Strap-ons

4

Launch Site

ELA-2

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France

Fastest Turnaround

16 days

Stats

Ariane 4


107th

Mission

6th

Mission of 2001

European Space Agency


133rd

Mission

8th

Mission of 2001

2001


53rd

Orbital launch attempt