Skip to Content

Go back to school with your Mac, iPhone and TUAW
AOL Tech

Posts with tag d11

DirecTV 11 expected to begin serving up HD in September

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 21st 2008 at 8:43AM


Just as soon as the HD clock began ticking, now we've got something to pencil in on our 2008 calendar. According to a new release from DirecTV, the recently launched DirecTV 11 satellite isn't expected to become "operational" (read: start dishing out new HD channels to more subscribers in more locales) until sometime in September. If you'll recall, the same estimate was given last year on the DirecTV 10, though it lifted off several months later (in July) than the D11. Reportedly, D11 is set to "provide capacity for up to 50 additional national HD channels," and if that doesn't get your motor running, you can also look forward to seeing another bird take flight in 2009 in order to offer up space for 200 national high-def channels. Not quite 900 or anything, but we reckon there's still a few years to go.

[Via gadgetell, thanks Keith]

DirecTV 11 phones home, HD clock starts ticking

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 20th 2008 at 1:51PM


Normally, we wouldn't go out of our way to pass along news that a recently launched satellite had phoned home, but given the nervousness felt by many after DISH Network's AMC-14 failed to reach its intended orbit, we figured we'd toss out some extra reassurance. As of early this morning, the D11 satellite made contact with a ground station in Hartebeesthoek, South Africa, signaling that it was "healthy and operating normally." Of course, there's no way to tell exactly what day the sat will begin dishing out more HD to more subscribers, but we reckon the conjecturing can officially begin. Psst... it took 81 days before DirecTV 10 began serving up HD.

[Thanks, K Shoup and syphix]

DirecTV 11 satellite launch deemed a success

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 19th 2008 at 10:20PM Breaking News


Unlike the AMC-14 launch that went awry just days ago, the DirecTV 11 launch went off sans a hitch. According to a new release on Sea Launch's website, D11 was "successfully delivered into orbit" after lifting off right on schedule, and all systems were said to have "performed nominally throughout the flight." Currently, the crew is awaiting acquisition of the spacecraft's first signals from outer space, which should occur within the next few hours. So far, so good -- the countdown to more HD for more DTV subscribers starts now.

Watch DirecTV 11 liftoff at 6:30PM EDT today

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 19th 2008 at 2:48PM


Unfortunately, the recently rescheduled launch of the DirecTV 11 won't make our list of things to watch in HD tonight, but for those anxious to see the sat provider's next bird take flight, here's the skinny. Today at around 6:30PM EDT (3:30PM for those of you on the left coast), live coverage is slated to start on DirecTV channel 573. For those operating sans DTV (or simply not near your television), you can click here to view the launch online. T-minus four hours and counting 'til liftoff -- consider our fingers crossed that things go smoother than they did for the AMC-14.

[Thanks, Vanbrothers]

DirecTV 11 satellite launch rescheduled for March 19th?

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 17th 2008 at 5:59PM Breaking News


We aren't booking this one as fact just yet, but according to a database of upcoming launches, the recently delayed DirecTV 11 is now set for a March 19th liftoff. Based on Earl Bonovich's own snooping, he found that the setback was less of a disaster and more of a last minute checkup, so all that jives as well. Nevertheless, we -- along with every other DirecTV subscriber out there -- will be counting down the hours and hoping for the best.

[Thanks, Dante]

DirecTV 11 satellite launch officially delayed

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 17th 2008 at 11:19AM Breaking News


Say it ain't so! Just hours after DISH Network's AMC-14 launch went awry, along comes word that the looming DirecTV 11 launch has officially been delayed (again, sort of). According to a blurb on Sea Launch's own website, the "mission is now on hold." Further reports clarify that an undisclosed "issue" is causing the holdup, and Sea Launch will be updating with information as its team investigates. Unfortunately, your guess is as good as ours as to when this bird will finally get airborne.

[Thanks, Tig]
Read - Sea Launch postpones DirecTV 11 satellite launch
Read - Sea Launch's statement

DirecTV 11 gears up for March 17th launch

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 7th 2008 at 4:21AM


It's nearly time, folks. We've been counting down to March for some time now, and while we knew the DirecTV 11 satellite was undergoing final preparations for launch, we still had no idea exactly what day it was set to blast off -- until now. Reportedly, the "Odyssey Launch Platform and the Sea Launch Commander have departed Sea Launch Home Port for the equatorial Pacific," and the liftoff is expected to occur within a 58-minute window at 3:49PM PT on Monday, March 17th. Best of all, live coverage of the mission will be available as of 3:30PM on the same day, so those with nothing better to do can check this thing out as it goes down just weeks from now.

DirecTV 11 undergoes mission preparation, gets pictured

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 27th 2008 at 11:14PM


Considering that DirecTV 11 was actually delayed until Q1 of 2008, we're a bit antsy to see it actually lift off this go 'round. Needless to say, the half dozen images of the rocket being rolled onto the launch deck and erected on the launch pad during final testing is a pretty good sign that things are going to plan. No word yet on exactly when this thing will head for space, but judging by the shots in the read link, we're guessing it'll be sooner rather than later.

[Thanks, Vanbrothers]

Sea Launch officially preparing for DirecTV 11 launch in March

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 14th 2008 at 5:29PM Breaking News


We had a hunch DirecTV's next bird would be departing from our sight sometime in March, and sure enough, a new note on the Sea Launch website confirms that preparations are being made to blast D11 off into orbit next month. As if that wasn't proof enough, the "Current Launch" section of the site details the entire mission and provides a link to tune in via streaming video once the trip is underway. Hang tight, DTV subscribers -- it seems that even more HD will be on the way sooner rather than later.

[Thanks, Jeremy K.]

DirecTV 11 satellite set to launch in March?

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 16th 2008 at 8:50PM

If the successful launch of the Thuraya-3 mobile communications satellite -- combined with Earl Bonovich's expertise -- is any indication of the future, we'd say the DirecTV 11 has a decent shot of lifting off in March. Apparently, the aforementioned bird was the only one left to be launched before the D11 was given its turn, and sure enough, Sea Launch has just recently issued a release confirming that the Thuraya-3 has found its way into orbit. Of course, we won't see any new channels for awhile even after it goes galactic, but folks over at DBSTalk are already placing wagers as to the when D11 will head for the stars. Gear up, DirecTV users -- it seems that even more programming (or at least broader coverage) is coming soon(ish).

Read - DBSTalk: Q1 D11 launch
Read - Sea Launch Delivers Thuraya-3 Satellite to Orbit




    Weblogs, Inc. Network

    AOL News

    Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:

    Joystiq
    Download Squad
    The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
    BloggingStocks
    Xbox 360 Fanboy
    Autoblog
    Big Download Blog
    Fanhouse NFL Blog