DIRECTV 11 Launch Delayed
March 16, 2008
Sea Launch, the contractor hired by DIRECTV to launch a new satellite into orbit tomorrow has put a hold on the mission. DIRECTV 11 was scheduled to lift-off at about 4PM Pacific Time on Monday, but Sea Launch posted a message saying the mission is now on hold.
While no specific reason was given, the front page of the Sea Launch site cryptically said it was to “allow the team to study an issue.” No specific time frame was posted for launch.
Could the team be waiting for further information on the DISH Network orbit failure? That is certainly a possibility. DISH has not made any public statement yet regarding the SES Americom satellite that failed to reach its proper orbit on Friday the 14th. DIRECTV does not need to rush anything as far as getting its newest satellite up and operational, now that DISH has been dealt a terrible setback.
Not that this isn’t done anyway with satellites that run hundreds of millions of dollars, but Sea Launch is no doubt double-triple-quadruple-quintuple checking absolutely everything in order to insure a successful mission.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Can you just imagine how much it hurt them losing that satellite? I wouldn’t blame them at all for delaying this launch until they get all the data. Neat story.
Not that this isn’t done anyway with satellites that run hundreds of millions of dollars,
Thanks You All