Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) will build a new high-power spot beam satellite that will enable DirecTV to serve additional markets with local channels and add new services.
The new satellite, named DirecTV-7S, will be delivered in the second half of 2003, and will be the second spot beam satellite in the DirecTV fleet following the launch of DirecTV-4S later this year. DirecTV expects to have DirecTV-7S in service by the end of 2003.
¿We are extremely proud that DirecTV has selected SS/L to build its newest state-of-the-art satellite, DirecTV-7S,¿ said Dr. John Klineberg, president, Space Systems/Loral. ¿We value the confidence that DirecTV has in SS/L¿s ability to deliver a reliable, powerful and flexible spacecraft.¿
¿This broadcast satellite platform will give us the ability to extend local channel service to additional markets and provide new services to existing customers,¿ said Jim Butterworth, vice president, Engineering, DirecTV, Inc.
¿Space Systems/Loral provided the high-power satellite design that, by far, covers the largest number of television households. Their creative design met and exceeded our performance and flexibility requirements.¿ DirecTV currently delivers local channels in 41 metropolitan markets.
DirecTV-7S will generate more than 13kW of total satellite power at the beginning of its life and is designed to operate from orbital locations at 101 degrees West longitude, the primary orbital slot for DirecTV, or 119 degrees West longitude.
In one operating mode, the new satellite will be capable of providing up to 54 transponders for high-quality local and national digital video service broadcast into 27 beams. In its other configuration, the satellite will be capable of providing up to 44 transponders broadcast into 30 beams.
The spacecraft is a version of SS/L¿s space-proven 1300 satellite platform, which has an excellent record of reliable operation. The geostationary 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. In all, SS/L satellites have amassed more than 800 years of on-orbit service.
SS/L has also built two other satellites that have been acquired by the direct-to-home satellite television provider ¿ DirecTV 6 and DirecTV 5. DirecTV 5 is scheduled for launch later this year.
