Launch preparation of American satellite DirecTV-10 completed

[11:22] 03/07/2007, Kazakhstan Today
http://engNews.gazeta.kz/art.asp?aid=283245

Baikonur. July 3. Kazakhstan Today - Launch preparation of the American satellite DirecTV-10 scheduled for July completed at Baikonur. Federal Space Center Baikonur press service informed the agency.

According to the press service, at the cosmodrome Baikonur refuelling of the tanks of carrier block Breeze-M with fuel components was completed on July 2. "The session of the state commission regarding readiness of the rocket, space satellite and the launch of booster rocket Proton-M with the satellite DirecTV-10 to the starting complex of platform №200 will take place at platform №95," the space center informed.

The space satellite DirecTV-10 belongs to the American company DirecTV - the largest satellite TV operator on the USA territory. Satellite DirecTV-10, weighting about 6 tons, with solar panels of more than 48 meters, consisting of 32 active and 12 alternate transponders of high capacity, will join satellite grouping of 9 devices on the near-earth orbit. The term of its operation is intended for 15 years. It is intended for broadcasting digital TV with high clearness in format HDTV (High Definition Television) through cable and national networks on the territory of the USA, including Alaska and Hawaii islands.

The launch of carrier rocket Proton-M with booster block Breeze-M and American telecommunication space satellite DirecTV-10 from platform №200 of Baikonur cosmodrome has been scheduled for July 7 at 7.16 Astana time (5.16 a.m. Moscow time.)

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