DirecTV-12

DirecTV-12

Operator	DirecTV
Major contractors	Boeing ILS (LSP)
Bus	BSS-702
Launch date	December 29, 2009
Carrier rocket	Proton-M/Briz-M
Mission duration	15 years
Orbital elements
Regime	Geostationary
Longitude	76° W (former - testing) 102.765° W (current)
Transponders
Capacity	500 MHz

DirecTV-12, also known as D12, is a Boeing model 702 satellite built by the Boeing Satellite Development Center. It was launched on December 29, 2009 and became operational on May 19, 2010. It is used by DirecTV to provide additional high definition channels and Video on demand content, as well as 3DTV channels and content.

Technology

This satellite is similar to DirecTV-10 and DirecTV-11, but will feature a 17/24 GHz BSS payload carrying the moniker RB-2A.^[1] It is planned to be co-located with SPACEWAY-1 and DirecTV-10 at or very near 102.8°W.^[2]

Launch data

On November 27, the satellite was shipped to Baikonur from the Boeing facility in El Segundo, California.^[3][4][5]

D12 was launched successfully by International Launch Services on December 29, 2009 at 6:22 AM Kahzakstan time (00:22 UTC) ^[6] from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard an Enhanced Proton Breeze-M rocket. The launch was televised live on DirecTV channel 577, on C-Band satellite, and online at ILS's website.^[7]

Testing stage

DirecTV-12 reached 76° W on February 11, 2010 and began testing 2 days later. After 3 weeks of scheduled testing, RB-2A began being tested. On April 23, D12 was granted a Special Temporary Authority to continue testing at 76° W for 30 more days.^[8] Testing was completed in late April.

Drift to final position

On March 31, 2010 DirecTV filed a Special Temporary Authority for permission to drift to its final position at 103° W.^[9] It was granted on April 23.^[10] It reached its final position on May 11 and began operations on May 13.^[11] Boeing handed the satellite over to DirecTV on May 17.^[12]

Broadcasting to customers

D12 is expected to increase DirecTV's national HD channel capacity to over 200 channels, and expand its availability of local channels in HD. DirecTV has stated the new satellite will be used to add up to 70 HD channels in 2010 ^[13] and expand its pay-per-view movie service DirecTV Cinema to up to 400 on demand titles.^[14] It also carries 3DTV channels. DirecTV began adding new HD channels on May 19 and continued June 23 and later in the summer. DirecTV added the first 3D channel to D12, ESPN 3D, on June 11, and new channels n3D and a pay-per-view 3D movie channel on July 1. A few more HD channels were added onto it in the fall of 2010, the winter of 2010-11, and the spring and summer of 2011.

See also

DirecTV satellite fleet

References

1. ^ http://licensing.fcc.gov/ibfsweb/ib.page.FetchAttachment?attachment_key=-173006
2. ^ http://licensing.fcc.gov/ibfsweb/ib.page.FetchAttachment?attachment_key=-173014
3. ^ "The Boeing — Baikonur Connection For DIRECTV 12". Satnews Daily. December 2, 2009. http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=183468457. 
4. ^ http://www.russianspaceweb.com/2009.html
5. ^ Russia prepares for December launch of DirecTV satellite
6. ^ DIRECTV HD and Movie Choices to Get a Lift With Successful Satellite Launch DIRECTV 12 Boosts Satellite Fleet's Capacity to More Than 200 HD Channels; Begins Operation First Half of Next Year DirecTV Press Release December 29, 2009
7. ^ ILS Official Site - Media Advisory
8. ^ FCC STA for testing at 76 W April 23
9. ^ Application for drift to 103 W March 31, 2010
10. ^ FCC STA for Drift April 23
11. ^ DirecTV notice to FCC of commencement of operations of D12
12. ^ Boeing Completes On-Orbit of DirecTV 12 Satellite Boeing.com May 17, 2010
13. ^ DirecTV 2010 Credit Suisse Global Media & Communications Convergence Conference Presentation
14. ^ DirecTV Using A Window Of Opportunity Investors.com July 1, 2010