It's Up!

For us satellite geeks today was like a holiday for us, as another satellite was launched into space. This afternoon the folks from ILS (International Launch Service) successfully launched off a new satellite that will be used by Dish Network.

The NIMIQ 5 Satellite lifted off promptly today at 3:19PM ET from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan without much fan fare (or for that matter a countdown) the ILS video feed was showing a video about the Proton M launch vehicle which ended just about a second before the rocket shot off into space. The launch lit up the night’s sky (it was 1:19am in Baikonur) for an amazing picture perfect launch.

Dish Network will use the new satellite in their 72.7 degree “Eastern Arc” position. It was announced shortly before the launch by Echostar that Dish Network would be able to use all 32 transponders on the new satellite over its expected 15-year life. Up until that press release came out it was believed that Dish Network would only be able to use half of those transponders.

While the launch looked good and all operations appeared nominal we will not know of the missions success until after midnight tonight eastern time. That is when we will know if the satellite was raised into proper orbit.

Back on March 14th 2007 another satellite which was intended for Dish Network use was launched from the same site using the same model rockets and engine. The satellite known as AMC-14 was to have gone to the 61.5 orbital location, but never made it do to a malfunction with the Briz M upper stage booster of the Proton rocket.

Let’s hope that we don’t see another issue like we did back in 2007 with AMC-14.

The satellite was built by Space Systems Loral in California and will be operated by its owner Telesat Canada. Telesat Canada is the world’s forth-largest fixed satellite services operator.

GO NIMIQ 5!

DirecTV Free Preview

DirecTV will have a special free preview this weekend which will have movie fans happy. From September 17th – 20th DirecTV customers can catch a free preview of all the Starz and Encore move channels.

Viewers will be able to enjoy the pay television preview of the hit movie “Bedtime Stories” with Adam Sandler this Saturday.

The Starz and Encore channels air on DirecTV channels 520 – 532.