DirecTV 11 satellite launch deemed a success

Unlike the AMC-14 launch that went awry just days ago, the DirecTV 11 launch went off sans a hitch. According to a new release on Sea Launch's website, D11 was "successfully delivered into orbit" after lifting off right on schedule, and all systems were said to have "performed nominally throughout the flight." Currently, the crew is awaiting acquisition of the spacecraft's first signals from outer space, which should occur within the next few hours. So far, so good -- the countdown to more HD for more DTV subscribers starts now.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 11:54PM]

What happened to that live coverage did it happen?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2008 1:07AM]

Yup, I watched it live (well for 1hr) both on DTV channel & streaming online.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2008 4:26AM]

replay at 6 a.m. channel 573

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2008 7:11AM]

Complete success so far...DirecTV 11 has "phoned home":
http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q1/080320a_nr.html

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2008 7:32AM]

good for directv!

i'm a dishnet guy... but its not like we're gonna keep switching back and forth according to good/bad news. Besides, I think even if dish 14 went up, it'd add locals to different areas rather than add Sci-Fi or FX... and I already have HD locals.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2008 9:40AM]

Well, where the hell are my new HD channels for crying out loud dammit? The damn things in space now start broadcasting my damn channels you wankers!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2008 11:52AM]

DirecTV 10 took 81 days before it made new HD channels available.

So look for 'em the first week of June.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2008 1:12PM]

Or per DirecTV I would not look for it til September.

http://dtv.client.shareholder.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=300485

DIRECTV 11, the tenth owned and operated satellite in the DIRECTV fleet, will be maneuvered into a circular orbit at 99.2 degrees West longitude and when tests are completed, it is expected to begin operations in early September, providing capacity for up to 50 additional national HD channels.