Directv 15 FCC Update

[nelson61]

For the DIRECTV techies:

DIRECTV updated their FCC launch and operate application for DIRECTV 15 on 8/25/2014.
Narrative is vague about launch date but implies early 2015.
The Arianespace launch site has been having scheduling problems, so launch dates are in a state of flux.

Directv 15 Narrative

 

[gadgtfreek]

Anything on D14?

 

[harshness]

DIRECTV 14 is on Salo's schedule for "First Half 2015". In contrast, DIRECTV 15 is on the schedule for "First Quarter 2015".

The scheduling problems aren't a matter of not being able to slot launches into the calendar. The real problem is that absent a suitable satellite (or collection of satellites) that weighs sufficiently under 4 metric tons so as to not exceed the 9.6 metric ton limit of the Ariane5 ECA, neither bird is going to launch without substantial additional cost.

For the short time that DIRECTV 14 had a launch vehicle assigned, it was to fly with GSAT 16 that wouldn't be ready until Q2 2015. GSAT 16 is on Salo's schedule for "First Quarter 2015" but the ISRO says that it will be "by mid-year" 2015 after GSAT 15 has launched (currently on Salo's schedule for mid-year 2015 but ISRO still thinks it is going to be up in the first quarter).

DIRECTV 15 is projected to weigh 6.3 metric tons so it will need perhaps a smaller partner than DIRECTV 14 that doesn't seem to have a final launch mass but is projected to be >6 metric tons.

It would appear that GSAT 16 and DIRECTV 14 (>9.4 metric tons) are pretty well matched as are GSAT 15 and DIRECTV 15 (9.5 metric tons) so they may be waiting on what's going on with availability of the ISRO birds. Hardly something that is a matter of complete randomness.

 

[nelson61]

....DIRECTV 14 that doesn't seem to have a final launch mass but is projected to be >6 metric tons...

From the Directv 14 launch and operate filing:

S15c. Mass of spacecraft and fuel at launch (kg):
6502.4

 

[harshness]

From the Directv 14 launch and operate filing:

S15c. Mass of spacecraft and fuel at launch (kg):
6502.4

Thanks for the updated information!

That being the case, it is now clear that GSAT 16 is NOT a suitable partner for DIRECTV 14.

As GSAT 15 is projected to be 3.2 metric tons, it would also appear to be too heavy for DIRECTV 14 (but still good for DIRECTV 15) as well so DIRECTV would appear to be up a creek. I guess I should check the DIRECTV 15 LOA to see if they didn't blow over on that bird as well.

It is looking somewhat likely that DIRECTV 15 may precede DIRECTV 14 unless there's some other match that can be made for the rather hefty DIRECTV 14.