DirecTV-14

DirecTV-14
Mission type Communications
Operator DirecTV
COSPAR ID 2014-078B
SATCAT no. 40333
Mission duration 15 years
Spacecraft properties
Bus LS-1300
Manufacturer Space Systems/Loral
Launch mass 6,300 kilograms (13,900 lb)
Power 20 kilowatts from solar array
Start of mission
Launch date 6 December 2014, 20:40 (2014-12-06UTC20:40Z) UTC[1]
Rocket Ariane 5 ECA
Launch site Kourou ELA-3
Contractor Arianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Geostationary
Longitude 99° West (planned)
Perigee 35,780 kilometres (22,230 mi)[2]
Apogee 35,807 kilometres (22,249 mi)[2]
Inclination 0.010 degrees[2]
Period 1436.16 minutes[2]
Epoch 25 January 2015, 03:33:14 UTC[2]
Transponders
Band 76 Ka-band
18 R-band

DirecTV-14 is a communication satellite launched on December 6, 2014.[3] It is the first satellite offering Ultra-HD 4K television services using Reverse DBS.[4]

Overview

The DirecTV-14 satellite is the sixth satellite built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for operator DirecTV. The high-capacity spacecraft is based on the SSL 1300 platform, DirecTV-14 is a 20-kilowatt class Ka-band and reverse-band digital broadcast satellite that will be used to deliver Ultra HD and other new consumer services for DirecTV.

DirecTV delivers hundreds of channels of digital programming to more than 31 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America with small-diameter dish antennas. This satellite provides service for users across the U.S. (including Hawaii and Alaska) and Puerto Rico. The satellite had a liftoff mass of approximately 6,300 kg. DirecTV-14 is expected to operate for 15 years, or until 2029.[5]

Michael White, chairman, president and CEO of DirecTV, was skeptical of the prospects for 4K in the past but was determined to stay on the bleeding edge of broadcast technologies. The 6,300 kg DirecTV 14 satellite uses Ka-band and Reverse Band Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) spectrum. DBS is expected to provide ample room for delivering 4K programs and other advanced services to customers.

In March 2015, DirecTV became the first multi-channel video provider to offer 4K Ultra HD programming direct to customers, offering a variety of new releases, popular films and nature documentaries with nearly four times the resolution of HD. Customers who have DirecTV's Genie HD DVR are able to watch 4K programming on supporting 2014 Samsung UHD TVs.[6]

DirecTV-14 also bolstered DirecTV's HD broadcasts. With the new satellite, the company now has a fleet of six HD satellites. Located at 99 degrees west, DirecTV-14 uses spot beams to provide additional local HD content. The 20-kilowatt satellite was expected to enter service early Q2 2016. The next satellite, DirecTV-15, launched May 27, 2015.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "GSAT 16 Satellite details 2014-078A NORAD 40332". N2YO. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  3. ↑ Arianespace to launch up to four satellites for DirecTV
  4. ↑ Arianespace VA221 launches satellites for the United States and India
  5. ↑ http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/arianespace-ready-for-final-ariane-5-flight-of-2014-with-directv-14-and-gsat-16/
  6. ↑ http://www.marketwatch.com/story/4k-ultra-hd-gets-a-lift-with-successful-directv-satellite-launch-2014-12-06
  7. ↑ http://www.satellitetoday.com/regional/2014/12/08/arianespace-launch-boosts-directv-on-4k-isro-on-domestic-capacity/
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.