Members of the print and TV media seeking press information on this weekend's launch of the DIRECTV 1-R satellite by Sea Launch are directed to the program's media-specific web site.
The Sea Launch media site is located on the Boeing web-based media service center at http://www.boeing.com/nosearch/sealaunch. Access to the site, for the DIRECTV 1-R mission only, does not require registration, in an effort to accommodate the large number of journalists requesting information.
The site contains PDF files of all printed press materials and high-resolution photographs and diagrams of the Sea Launch system. All materials on the site are cleared for release and downloadable.
Sea Launch also has established a 24-hour telephone hot-line for the latest launch information at USA 562-797-1000.
All breaking Sea Launch news, including any changes in launch schedule and the soon-to-be -announced TV satellite downlinks will posted on the site and announced on the hot-line.The launch window for Sea Launch's first commercial launch is scheduled for 8:28 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Saturday, October 9, 1999. Because the vessels have reached their equatorial launch site earlier than expected, the launch date has been moved up to Saturday. The latest information on the launch date will be available via the telephone hotline.
FOR TELEVISION: A live satellite broadcast of the launch will begin at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on the day of the launch. The broadcast will include a live link to the Pacific Ocean for the launch itself. The broadcast will follow the mission until successful separation of the payload in space approximately 60 minutes after liftoff.
Broadcast television satellite downlinks are:
North America:
Saturday, Oct. 9:
Telstar 6 Ku
Transponder 9
Orbital Position: 93 degrees
Downlink Frequency: 11898 Megahertz Vertical
Sunday, Oct. 10:
GE3KU
Transponder 18
Orbital Position: 87 Degrees
Downlink Frequency: 12060 Mgz Vertical
For both days, the audio subcarriers are 6.2 and 6.8 identical and the window is 2230-0130 ET Apx 30
Europe & Russia:
Brightstar
Transponder: H6 Lower Analog Transponder
Orbital position: 338.5 Degrees
Downlink Frequency: 11531.5 Megahertz Horizontal
Window: 0600-0615 GMT Apx 15
Note: Recipients in Moscow should downlink with a 4.5 or larger antenna.