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Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
17:59:08
Sunday May 22, 2005
The DirecTV 8 satellite provides selectable medium and high-power Ku-band broadcast services to the U.S. on up to 32 transponders. The service is optimized to support the current and next-generation higher coding rate services that DirecTV provides. The Ka-band payload uses the full 1,000 MHz of Ka-band communications bandwidth available to link DirecTV facilities as part of DirecTV's dramatic infrastructure development for the launch of local digital and high-definition services in the Ka-band. The satellite is designed to provide almost 8,500 Watts of DC power at the end of its 15-year mission life and weighs less than 3,800 kilograms at separation from the Proton launch vehicle. The spacecraft is a version of SS/L's space-proven SSL-1300 satellite platform, which has an excellent record of reliable operation. The geostationary SSL-1300 has a designed service life of 15 years and maintains station-keeping and orbital stability by using bipropellant propulsion and momentum-bias systems. A system of high-efficiency solar arrays and lightweight batteries provides uninterrupted electrical power.
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
1 Payload
3,711 kilograms
Manufacturer
KhrunichevPrice
$65.00 million
Rocket
Height: 58.18m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 21,000 kg
GTO: 6,900 kg
Liftoff Thrust
10,027 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 4.35m
Height: 15.26m
Stages
4
8th
Mission
2nd
Mission of 2005
19th
Orbital launch attempt