The DIRECTV 10 satellite soared into space yesterday, beginning the first leg of its mission to dramatically expand HD programming for millions of DIRECTV customers nationwide and establish DIRECTV as the industry's HD pace-setter.

The Boeing-built 702 model satellite lifted off at 6:16 p.m. PDT, Friday, July 6, from Pad 39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard an International Launch Services (ILS) Russian-built Proton Breeze M launch vehicle. After nine hours and eight minutes in flight, the rocket left the spacecraft in a geosynchronous transfer orbit with a high point of 22,300 miles (36,000 km) above the equator. Controllers at the ground station in Hartebeesthoek, South Africa have made contact with the satellite and confirmed that all systems are functioning properly.

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Is it true that the satellite, because of inherent malfunctions and lack of testing, periodically needs to be turned off and on, losing all data...but Boeing promises a software update any day/week/month/year now?

Please cite a source jh, I have not heard that.

- Shane

DirecTV customer service.

Sorry, should have asked for a reliable source

You're a great "straight-man", Shane.

That was funny!

JH, do you have a link you can point our readers to?

No links...as I am a born-again Luddite, undercover and sent to infiltrate HDTV on-line blogs.

This is very encouraging news, any idea when it will be tested, calibrated and activated? When does the second bird go up?

September 16th is the date they gave the FCC. The 2nd one is waiting for Sea Launch to reschedule, maybe spring?

I work in IT in the Boeing division that build this satellite. I am not a spokesperson for the company. I may have actually seen it during build, but I don't actually pay that much attention to each one.
I have supported, in particular, the group that does the simulation testing of the 702 (and all other Boeing satellites from the El Segundo facility). They are analyzed mathematically, then physically tested against the math models. And that in all areas, thermal, vibration, electrical etc. If there is any variance at all - it is almost a crisis. What I am saying is the level of test is 100% and knowledge and tolerance for variance is 0.
This satellite is profoundly complicated and complex and expensive. Between the triple junction solar power, fuel power, batteries, Xeon propulsion, it is completely and utterly off the scale of normal human comprehension - yes it does take rocket scientists. Oh, and then there are acutual section that do the TV broadcasting.
Now, this does not explain the problems that occurred in the first batch of 702 satellites. Version 1 issues at least. I will not address that, except to say the issue are solved as best I know - and I am sure the insurance companies have insisted on.
But, even they, did not need to shut off and reboot periodically - if for no other reason, they don't run on Window!

I was kidding...as in comparing the Boeing satellite to the DirecTV DVR. Oh...never mind...

Is it true that the satellite, because of inherent malfunctions and lack of testing, periodically needs to be turned off and on, losing all data...but Boeing promises a software update any day/week/month/year now?

I see no comparison described or inferred...

JH, we appreciate the participation of all our readers. I am publicly asking you to stop grinding your DirecTV axe at this site. The one liners and wisecrack shots across the bow of DirecTV needs to stop as they add nothing to the information provided. If you have something to say then back it up with a description of your experience or supporting information on the net via links that is useful to the readers.

To end this now, there isn't a company out there without problems and each one has their detractors and fans due to poor or great service in nearly all cases. No company has earned a halo over their heads yet! You have posted flaming opinions a number of times at the site and for you the evil one was DirecTV, we get that... And what ever you found better there will be others who think they were evil. Enough already!

Blogs are not only for extolling the virtues of a product/company, but for bitching and moaning. If you don't like the latter...too bad.

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