Arianespace Transfers DIRECTV 7S Satellite to Sea Launch

Arianespace secured a Q1 2004 launch slot with Sea Launch for the DIRECTV 7S satellite. Arianespace said it negotiated a seamless transfer of the satellite to Sea Launch because delays in the DIRECTV 7S satellite manufacturing process created a scheduling conflict with a dedicated scientific mission on the Arianespace launch manifest. The DIRECTV 7S satellite is a high priority launch for DIRECTV as the spot-beam spacecraft is slated to serve 60 local television markets across the U.S.
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