ILS Release
BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan, May 22, 2005 – A Russian Proton Breeze
M launcher placed the DIRECTV 8 satellite into orbit today, marking the
fourth successful mission of the year for International Launch Services
(ILS).
The Proton vehicle lifted off at 11:59 p.m. local time (1:59 p.m. EDT,
17:59 GMT). It continued its climb through space for nine hours and 15
minutes, after which time the satellite separated from the rocket into
an elliptical geosynchronous transfer orbit. Satellite controllers
confirm that DIRECTV 8 is functioning properly. Over the next ten days
the satellite will be maneuvered into a circular geosynchronous orbit,
22,300 miles (36,000 km) above the equator.
"We're pleased that DIRECTV chose ILS and Proton to launch this
important satellite, which will provide support for the expansion of new
digital and high-definition services," said ILS President Mark Albrecht.
The DIRECTV 8 satellite, built by Space Systems/Loral, carries both
Ku-band and Ka-band payloads. Its final operating position is 101
degrees West longitude.
"We congratulate the ILS launch team on their flawless execution in
placing DIRECTV 8 into orbit today," said Jim Butterworth, senior vice
president, Communication Systems, DIRECTV, Inc. "DIRECTV 8 will play an
important role in strengthening our satellite fleet and the rollout of
new services for our more than 14.4 million customers."
ILS markets launches and manages the missions on both the Russian Proton
and the American Atlas rockets. The Proton vehicle is built by
Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, and the Atlas is
manufactured by Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT). This is the second
spacecraft ILS has launched for DIRECTV on Proton; the previous launch
was DIRECTV 5 in 2002. The Atlas vehicle also has launched two
satellites for DIRECTV: DBS 2 and DIRECTV 6, in 1994 and 1997, respectively.
ILS is the global leader in launch services. With a remarkable launch
rate of 74 missions since 2000, the Atlas and Proton launch vehicles
have consistently demonstrated the reliability and flexibility that have
made them preferred choice among satellite operators worldwide. Since
the beginning of 2003, ILS has signed more new commercial contracts than
all of its competitors combined. ILS was formed in 1995, and is based in
McLean, Va., a suburb of Washington, D.C.
--
Dishnut-P
================================================================
Operator of RadioFree Dishnuts - Producer of The Dishnut News
heard Saturdays at 10pm EST. on
RFD, W0KIE Satellite Radio Network AMC-7 Transponder 5 / 7.50Mhz
(4DTV W-7 973), WTND-LP 106.3, and many micro LPFM stations.
http://dishnuts.net
RFD Listen Links: http://dishnuts.net/#Listen
Show Archives: (Partly Up) http://dishnuts.net/archive/
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
In low income neighborhoods, 84% do not own computers.
At Network for Good, help bridge the Digital Divide!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/S.QlOD/3MnJAA/Zx0JAA/EyMolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
Community email addresses:
Post message: mailto:[email protected]
Subscribe: mailto: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
List owner: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Shortcut URL to this page:
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/TVRO
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TVRO/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
