DirecTV-12
Encyclopedia
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.
and DirecTV-11
, but will feature a 17/24 GHz BSS payload carrying the moniker RB-2A. It is planned to be co-located with SPACEWAY-1
and DirecTV-10 at or very near 102.8°W.
.
D12 was launched successfully by International Launch Services
on December 29, 2009 at 6:22 AM Kahzakstan time (00:22 UTC) 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.
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 and expand its pay-per-view
movie service DirecTV Cinema to up to 400 on demand
titles. 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.
Boeing 702
Boeing 702 is a communications satellite design. The Boeing Satellite Development Center tailors the payload of each Boeing 702 to meet customer specifications based on a modular design but with usually more than seventy transponders....
built by the Boeing Satellite Development Center
Boeing Satellite Development Center
The Boeing Satellite Development Center is a major business unit of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. It brought together Boeing satellite operations with that of GM Hughes Electronics' Space and Communications division.-History:...
. It was launched on December 29, 2009 and became operational on May 19, 2010. It is used by DirecTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
to provide additional high definition
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
channels and Video on demand
Video on demand
Video on Demand or Audio and Video On Demand are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand...
content, as well as 3DTV channels and content.
Technology
This satellite is similar to DirecTV-10DirecTV-10
DirecTV-10 is a Boeing model 702 direct broadcast satellite that provides high definition television to DirecTV subscribers in North America. It was launched by International Launch Services on July 7, 2007 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard an Enhanced Proton Breeze-M rocket...
and DirecTV-11
DirecTV-11
DirecTV-11, also known as D11, is a Boeing model 702 satellite built by the Boeing Satellite Development Center.- Technology :This satellite is functionally identical to DirecTV-10 and is co-located with SPACEWAY-2 at or very near 99.225°W.- Launch data :...
, but will feature a 17/24 GHz BSS payload carrying the moniker RB-2A. It is planned to be co-located with SPACEWAY-1
SPACEWAY-1
Spaceway F1 is part of DirecTV’s constellation of direct broadcast satellites. The satellite was launched via a Zenit 3SL rocket from Sea Launch’s Odyssey equatorial platform on April 26, 2005. Its operational position is in geosynchronous orbit above the equator at 102.8 degrees west longitude....
and DirecTV-10 at or very near 102.8°W.
Launch data
On November 27, the satellite was shipped to Baikonur from the Boeing facility in El Segundo, CaliforniaEl Segundo, California
El Segundo is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Located on the Santa Monica Bay, it was incorporated on January 18, 1917, and is one of the Beach Cities of Los Angeles County and part of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments...
.
D12 was launched successfully by International Launch Services
International Launch Services
International Launch Services is a U.S.-Russian joint venture with exclusive rights to the worldwide sale of commercial Proton rocket launch services from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.- Ownership :...
on December 29, 2009 at 6:22 AM Kahzakstan time (00:22 UTC) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Baikonur Cosmodrome
The Baikonur Cosmodrome , also called Tyuratam, is the world's first and largest operational space launch facility. It is located in the desert steppe of Kazakhstan, about east of the Aral Sea, north of the Syr Darya river, near Tyuratam railway station, at 90 meters above sea level...
in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
aboard an Enhanced Proton Breeze-M
Briz-M
The Briz-M , is a Russian orbit insertion upper stage manufactured by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and used on the Proton-M rocket.- Characteristics :...
rocket.
The launch was televised live on DirecTV channel 577, on C-Band satellite, and online at ILS's website.
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. 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. It was granted on April 23. It reached its final position on May 11 and began operations on May 13. Boeing handed the satellite over to DirecTV on May 17.Broadcasting to customers
D12 is expected to increase DirecTV'sDirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
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 and expand its pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
movie service DirecTV Cinema to up to 400 on demand
Video on demand
Video on Demand or Audio and Video On Demand are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand...
titles. 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
ESPN 3D
ESPN 3D is a television network part of the ESPN family of networks that launched June 11, 2010. The network broadcasts in the 3D television format. The channel simulcasts live games from ESPN on a semi-regular basis. It began broadcasting 24 hours a day on February 14, 2011...
, on June 11, and new channels n3D
N3D
n3D is a 3DTV channel that launched on July 1, 2010. It is sponsored by Panasonic and available exclusively on DirecTV. It is the world's first 24 hour 3DTV channel.-Programs:...
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.