KHRUNICHEV STATE RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION SPACE CENTER

Proton-M Briz-M | DirecTV-8

SUCCESS Proton-M Briz-M →
May 22, 2005 at 17:59 UTC
Geostationary Orbit Communications Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan 91% success
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Live Orbit
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Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PAD200/39 (200L)
SITEBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan →
ORBITGeostationary Orbit
TYPECommunications

The DirecTV 8 satellite provides selectable medium and high power Ku-band broadcast services to the U.S. on up to 32 transponders. The service is optimized to support the current and next generation higher coding rate services that DirecTV provides.

MISSION
DirecTV-8
MISSION TYPE
Communications
TARGET ORBIT
Geostationary Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
200/39 (200L)
COUNTRY
RUS
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 8231e3ba-036e-4b52-9023-df1dfdd4501b
Reported date: May 22, 2005 at 17:59 UTC
Last synced: 8 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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MANUFACTURER
Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
VARIANT
Briz-M
FLIGHTS
68
SUCCESSES
62
SUCCESS RATE
91.2%
When is the Proton-M Briz-M | DirecTV-8 launch?
The Proton-M Briz-M | DirecTV-8 is scheduled for Sunday, May 22, 2005 at 5:59 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for DirecTV-8?
The Proton-M Briz-M | DirecTV-8 mission uses the Proton-M Briz-M rocket, manufactured by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. The Proton-M Briz-M has flown 68 times with a 91.2% success rate.
Where is the Proton-M Briz-M | DirecTV-8 launching from?
The launch takes place from 200/39 (200L) at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan.
What orbit is DirecTV-8 going to?
The DirecTV-8 mission is targeting Geostationary Orbit.
Who is launching DirecTV-8?
The Proton-M Briz-M | DirecTV-8 is operated by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center.
Can I watch the Proton-M Briz-M | DirecTV-8 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 29, 2026 01:08 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:08 UTC
Launch date set: May 22, 2005 at 17:59 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
Mar 29, 2026 01:08 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 8 minutes ago
Launch Library 28 minutes ago
Launch ID: 8231e3ba-036e-4b52-9023-df1dfdd4501b
Open-Meteo Weather1 day ago
Pad weather at 46.04, 63.03

Mission Profile

DirecTV-8 was a Proton-M Briz-M mission operated by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center that lifted off from 200/39 (200L), Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan on May 22, 2005. The flight carried its payload on a communications mission to Geostationary Orbit. The launch was a success.