New satellite delay (1 Viewer)

[Larry Schneider]

The launch of the new DirecTV satellite has been delayed. It was to have gone up (from Kazakhstan) in mid-October.

 

[Scott Stevens]

DirecTv 4S has been delayed indefinitely for an "undisclosed spacecraft issue". DirecTV 5S has been scheduled for quite a while now with a launch date of Nov. 27th. You can check here for info.
[Edited last by Scott Stevens on October 19, 2001 at 04:35 PM]
[Edited last by Scott Stevens on October 19, 2001 at 04:36 PM]

 

[Larry Schneider]

What is the difference between 4S and 5S? I knew the spot beam bird was planned, but what's the other one for?

 

[Wayne Bundrick]

Scott's link shows that DirecTV 5 (not 5S) is postponed indefinitely while DirecTV 4S (the spot beam satellite) is scheduled for Nov. 27. DirecTV 5 is not a spot beam satellite. I could be wrong but I think it is supposed to replace DirecTV 6 which will then become a backup. DirecTV 5 and 6 are actually the Primestar satellites bought by DirecTV, located at the 119 degree orbital slot. DirecTV 4S will be located at the main 101 degree orbital slot.
Also, another spot beam satellite DirecTV 7S is expected to be constructed and launched to the 101 degree slot by the end of 2003.