DirecTV 4S
DirecTV 4S [Boeing BSS] |
DirecTV, Inc. ordered DirecTV-4S, another Boeing BSS-601HP satellite, in December 1999. It is the fifth Boeing satellite to be built for DirecTV. It was successfully launched on an Ariane-44LP H10-3 on November 26, 2001 and entered service on December 27, 2001.
DirecTV-4S is the first spacecraft in the DirecTV fleet to use highly focused spot beam technology, which enables DirecTV to expand its local channel offerings in metropolitan markets. DirecTV-4S also further strengthens DirecTV's in-orbit redundancy.
DirecTV-4S operates at the Ku-band frequency and carries two payloads: spot beams for local channels, and a national beam payload. The spot beam payload uses a total of 38 traveling wave-tube amplifiers (TWTAs), powered by a combination of 30-watt, 45-watt, 65-watt, and 88-watt TWTAs. The national beam payload carries two active transponders with further capability for two active high power and six active low power transponders.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Communication (Direct Broadcasting) |
| Operator: | DirecTV |
| Contractors: | Boeing |
| Equipment: | 48 Ku-band transponders |
| Configuration: | BSS-601HP |
| Propulsion: | R-4D, 4 XIPS-13 ion engines |
| Power: | |
| Lifetime: | 15 years |
| Mass: | 4260 kg |
| Orbit: | GEO |
| Satellite | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DirecTV 4S | 27.11.2001 | Ko ELA-2 | Ariane-44LP H10-3 |
- DirecTV 1, 2, 3 (HS-601)
- DirecTV 1R (HS-601HP)
- DirecTV 4S (HS-601HP)
- DirecTV 5, 6 (SSL-1300)
- DirecTV 7S, 9S (SSL-1300)
- DirecTV 8 (SSL-1300)
- DirecTV 10, 11, 12 (BSS-702)
- DirecTV 14 (LS-1300)
Source: Boeing Satellite Systems website