Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) received orders to proceed with the design and construction of two satellites: DIRECTV 8 and DIRECTV 9S. Aggregate revenue for the construction of the two satellites will be in excess of $220 million.
DIRECTV 8, to be delivered in the late first quarter of 2005, will provide national coverage from the 101 degrees West longitude orbital slot, DIRECTV's primary orbital slot. The satellite will carry 16 high-power transponders.
DIRECTV 9S, scheduled for delivery in the late second quarter of 2005, is designed to operate from orbital locations at 101 degrees West longitude or 119 degrees West longitude. As a back-up for DIRECTV's 4S and 7S satellites, it will be capable of providing up to 54 transponders for high-quality local and national digital video service broadcast into 27 beams. In an alternate configuration, the satellite will be capable of providing up to 44 transponders broadcast into 30 beams.
http://www.ssloral.com
- SS/L is currently building DIRECTV 7S, a high-power, spot-beam satellite scheduled for launch in mid to late first quarter of 2004.
