MOSCOW, May 23 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Proton booster was launched at 7.14 Moscow time today and put the U.S. DIREC TV-8 communication satellite into orbit. "The space vehicle came off the Briz-M upper stage rocket, and control was handed over to the customer," said Russia's Roskosmos space agency. The launch was made from Baikonur, the launching site Russia leases from Kazakhstan. It took place one day later for technical reasons. Roskosmos said DIREC TV-8 would provide high-quality telecasting services within the Ku band that will be optional in the United States. The satellite will ensure a high quality of services and raise codification speed. The satellite is fitted out with 16 powerful transponders that will ensure quality digital broadcasting. The satellite was built at the LS-1300 platform run by Space Systems Loral Co., which has proved to be reliable.
LS-1300, the platform for geostationary satellites with a life cycle of 15 years, maintains the set orbit parameters with the help of a bipropulsion system and a space traffic monitoring system.
The satellite's low-weight solar batteries and accumulators serve as electricity generators. They will generate an estimated of up to 8,500 Wt by the end of the vehicle's life cycle, whereas it only weighed less than 3,800 kg after separating from the booster.
DIREC TV-8 is registered with the International Telecommunication Union. It will operate in the 101( west longitude orbital position, and it will also be able to work in 110( and 119( west longitude positions that belong to DIREC TV Co.
