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| May 13, 2005 |
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Payload: DIRECTV 8 Launch Vehicle: Proton M/Breeze M Weight at liftoff: 691,272 kg (1.5 million lbs), including payload Height: 58 m (191 ft) Launch Date: Saturday, May 21, 2005 Launch Window Opens: 11:59 p.m. Baikonur Launch Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan End User: DIRECTV, Inc., leading U.S. direct-to-home entertainment provider Satellite Manufacturer: Space Systems/Loral, Palo Alto, Calif. Launch Vehicle Manufacturer: Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, Moscow Launch Services Provider: International Launch Services (ILS), McLean, Va. Satellite Use: Reinforce DIRECTV's satellite fleet & support expansion of new digital and high-definition services Satellite Statistics: 2nd DIRECTV satellite launched by ILS on Proton Mission Profile: The Proton launch vehicle will inject the DIRECTV 8 satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The first three stages will use a standard ascent trajectory to place the Breeze M upper stage with the satellite into a suborbital trajectory, from which the Breeze M will place itself and the spacecraft into a circular support orbit of 173 km (107.5 mi), inclined at 51.6 degrees. Then the Breeze M will ignite four more times to propel the satellite to its target geosynchronous transfer orbit of 35,786 km x 15,130 km (22,236 mi x 9,401 mi), inclined at 7.9 degrees. Following separation from the Breeze M, the spacecraft will perform a series of liquid apogee engine burns to raise perigee, lower inclination and circularize the orbit at the geostationary altitude of 36,000 km (22,300 mi). Spacecraft Separation: Approximately 9 hours, 15 minutes after liftoff ILS Mission Statistics: 4th ILS mission this year Live Broadcast: Intelsat Americas 6, transponder 11, C-band More Information: Live webcast and general mission information will be available on the ILS web site at www.ilslaunch.com. Launch status updates are available on the ILS U.S. domestic Launch Hotline at 1-800-852-4980. # # # |