DIRECTV 11 - Launch now reported as March 9th - Update: Delivered to SeaLaunch (1/26)

[charper1]

Two questions:

1. Wasn't this delay already announced in July?

2. As far as the "good for DISH" posts; they too got bumped back as I read due to a failure for the company that was to launch their next bird.

[harshness]

2. As far as the "good for DISH" posts; they too got bumped back as I read due to a failure for the company that was to launch their next bird.

Echostar 11 gets dragged out by any delays in DIRECTV 11. The satellite that DISH is planning on leasing is being held up by a September Proton failure and it looks like that may not happen this calendar year either.

[ScoBuck]

The delay has been known for a couple of weeks at least - Boeing put out a press release stating that Thuraya would be in transit to Sea Launch for a November launch.

Boeing: Boeing Ships Third Thuraya Communications Satellite to Sea Launch Home Port

It had been scheduled for a mid-October launch before the delay.

This takes D11 from 3rd week of December to early January right now.

[ScoBuck]

The 'This is Good For DISH' posts are by whiners. It is only good in their eyes because they feel that it is the only way they can keep up with or catch the momentum now held by DirecTV.

There can be no other interpretation as to why a delay of DIRECTV-11 would be 'GOOD FOR DISH'.

[charper1]

Echostar 11 gets dragged out by any delays in DIRECTV 11. The satellite that DISH is planning on leasing is being held up by a September Proton failure and it looks like that may not happen this calendar year either.

So you are saying that DISH is under a "double whammy" right now?

[golferace2]

This is good news for us DISH guys

Why? Does D11 being delayed give you more HD channels? I certainly not wishing that any launch by Dish gets delayed or fails.

[ScoBuck]

Well Echostar 11 can't launch much before March-Arpil 2008 - that would give it a May-June light up date - best case.

AMC-14 is an even larger unknown at this time. There is a stop on all Proton Launches right now - and for a couple of reasons. First, the review board investigating the JSAT accident just completed its investigation - they now have to have review and meetings in order to get the program back on track.

Second, they are getting major grief for the local authorities due to the dangerous pieces of debris that fell from the aborted launch. The fuel is very hazardous, and they have been threatening to stop all future launches. It is still a bit uncertain how this will play out. AMC-14 was supposed to fly in December - that seems very.very unlikely at this moment - I haven't even heard a whisper as to when they even 'optimistically' think they can get it off of the ground.

[ScoBuck]

Why? Does D11 being delayed give you more HD channels? I certainly not wishing that any launch by Dish gets delayed or fails.

Well - it was the most ridiculous post of the day I think.

[purtman]

Two questions:

1. Wasn't this delay already announced in July?

2. As far as the "good for DISH" posts; they too got bumped back as I read due to a failure for the company that was to launch their next bird.

The first one was announced a while ago, even before July, when the launch pad blew up. At first, they said this would delay it until 1Q of next year. Then it was then announced that it would occur in December.

[charper1]

Yep thats about what I remember too yet I though they said they would push to get it launched by Dec 07. (understanding that 1Q 2008 was the more likely scenario).