First Spaceway satellite enters service for DIRECTV

[Gregg Lengling]

Boeing announced today the on-orbit delivery of the Spaceway F1 satellite to DIRECTV, Inc. The most complex commercial satellite ever manufactured, Spaceway F1 will enable DIRECTV to broadcast local high definition television (HDTV) channels into several of the nation's largest markets.

"All in-orbit testing has been successfully completed and we are pleased to deliver this incredibly sophisticated satellite to our long-time and valued customer - DIRECTV," said Steve O'Neill, vice president of Boeing's commercial and civil satellite programs. " Spaceway F1 includes an innovative, on-board digital processor and a flexible payload with a fully steerable downlink antenna that can be reconfigured on orbit to seamlessly address market conditions."

Spaceway F1, and its sister satellite, Spaceway F2, are among DIRECTV's next generation of direct-to-home (DTH) broadcast satellites. The spacecrafts' adaptable spot beam technology and reconfigurable routing will allow DIRECTV, Inc. to bring HDTV local service to most U.S. television households. Spaceway F2 is scheduled for launch later this year.

"Our historic expansion of programming capacity will be made possible with the proven technology integrated aboard Spaceway F1 and three other Boeing-built satellites that we are launching over the next two years," said Jim Butterworth, senior vice president, Communications Systems, DIRECTV, Inc. "Boeing's leadership in building quality satellites is instrumental in our initiative to deliver more than 1,500 local HD channels and more than 150 national HD channels and other advanced programming services to customers nationwide by 2007."

The Boeing 702 geostationary satellite was designed and manufactured at Boeing's Satellite Development Center. Located in El Segundo, Calif., the SDC is the leading manufacturer of government and commercial communications satellites. Encompassing approximately 1 million square feet, the state-of-the-art facility is the largest dedicated satellite factory in the world.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.5 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government, and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.