Thread: DirecTV 12 Satellite launching today (12/28)

Sending satellites into space is still pretty darn fascinating. DirecTV is sending up its next satellite today at 4:22PM PST.

Here's the satellite's spacecraft moving into position at the launchpad (it really gives you an idea of how massive this thing is):

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FdBmBVb250"]YouTube- Вывоз �*Н Протон с КА DirecTV 12[/ame]

Launch video (live): Proton / DIRECTV 12 Launch

# D12 Launch-to-"Live" Expectations:

• It's expected that HD channels from D12 will be available 90-120 days after a successful launch.
• After launch and orbit raising maneuvers, DirecTV-12 will be located at 76� [no earlier than about 2/15/2010].
• After DirecTV-12 reaches 76�, DirecTV will commence in-orbit testing of the satellite for approximately 4 weeks.
• After in-orbit testing is completed, DirecTV-12 will then be drifted to it's assigned location over the course of approximately 20 days [reaching that orbital position no later than about 5/5/2010].

What does it mean for subscribers?

D12 National / Continental US (CONUS) - Callsign S2797:

• 16 transponders (TP9-TP24) of national bandwidth for MPEG4 HD from 103�
• Each transponder supporting 5 HD channels for a total capacity of 80 national HD channels
• Within the existing Ka-Hi (19890-20200 MHz) frequency range, supported with the current LNB
• Spaceway-1 (SW1) is currently allocated the entire Ka-Hi (19700-20200) frequency range, therefore it's expected that SW1 and D12 will now share the range, with SW1 using the lower end, and D12 using the higher end

D12 Local-in-Local (LiL):

• 10 transponders (TP15-TP24) of spot beam bandwidth for MPEG4 HD LiL from 103�
• Supporting 49 spot beams
• Within the existing Ka-Lo (18600-18800 MHz) frequency range (same as D10), supported with the current LNB
• The spot beam bandwidth is for in-orbit redundancy or replacement for the spot beam capability of either D10 or D11 (if D12 were moved to 99�)

D12 RB-2A ("BSS") - Callsign S2796:

• Named RB-2A for "BSS" payload on D12
• 18 transponders (TP1-TP18) of spot beam bandwidth for "niche services" from 103�
• Supporting 4 spot beams to the "western U.S."
• Within the BSS (17345-17700 MHz) frequency range, with a new LNB expected/required
• This payload will allow DirecTV to begin providing commercial service in the 17/24 GHz BSS band before any other satellite operator in the world, making use of these valuable spectrum/orbital resources mere months after receiving its first license in the band.

A LOT more info here: Sixto Report: D12/RB-2A Info: Awaiting Launch (7:22pm ET Today) - DBSTalk.Com

I hope we don't need a new dish to capture the feeds from it.

What channel is the launch on?

Originally Posted by sirjw

what channel is the launch on?

577

No new dish needed.

It's a shame they've gotta go to the Russkies to get their birds into orbit...

does that Dish have Vs channel ?