DIRECTV 9S (29494)

COSPAR: 2006-043A | Alt Name: DirecTV 9S

Image
DIRECTV 9S Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

October 13, 2006

Launch Site

FRGUI

Launch Pad

ELA3

Launch Vehicle

Ariane 5ECA

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

29494

International Designator

2006-043A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:51:10 GMT

Apogee

Calculating...

Perigee

Calculating...

Inclination

2.46°

Right Ascension

80.71°

Eccentricity

Calculating...

Argument of Perigee

25.57°

Period

1436.10 min

Mean Motion

1.00 rev/day

Latitude

Calculating...

Longitude

Calculating...

Altitude

Calculating...

Velocity

Calculating...

Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

DIRECTV 9S

Alternative Name

DirecTV 9S

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

DTV

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 29494U 06043A   26185.20220464 -.00000102  00000-0  00000-0 0  9997
2 29494   2.4619  80.7060 0005313  25.5685 147.5399  1.00271693 51559

Source: Celestrak

Summary
DIRECTV 9S (also known as DirecTV 9S) is a communication satellite with the NORAD catalog ID 29494 and object ID 2006-043A, manufactured by LOR and owned by DTV. Launched on October 13, 2006, from ELA3 launch pad at FRGUI using an Ariane 5ECA rocket, it has a configuration of SSL-1300 with dimensions of 7.5 meters in length, 2.9 meters in diameter, and a span of 31.3 meters. The satellite has a dry mass of 2346 kg and a launch mass of 5505 kg, equipped with 54 transponders and powered by two deployable solar arrays along with batteries. Its shape is described as Box + 2 Pan with an RCS value of 271.1266. The satellite was designed for a communication mission with an expected lifetime of 15 years.
Physical Characteristics

Length

7.5

Diameter

2.9

Span

31.3

Dry Mass

2346

Launch Mass

5505

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

271.1266

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

DirecTV-9S

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

LOR

Life Expectancy

15 years

Bus

FS-1300

Configuration

SSL-1300

Motor

R-4D-11-164

Equipment

54 transponders

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
This tool will help you track the satellite's position and predict its upcoming passes over your location. Simply input the coordinates or click the geolocation button to get started.
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

Space Force Halts All Vulcan Missions Over Solid Booster Issue | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force Halts All Vulcan Missions Over Solid Booster Issue | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force suspends all Vulcan launches pending solid rocket booster investigation. Rocket Lab scrubs HASTE hypersonic vehicle launch. Military space funding hits record highs.

Space Brief 4 Dec 2024

Space Brief 4 Dec 2024

Today's brief covers significant advancements in materials technology for space applications, a U.S. Navy contract for rocket production facilities, and NATO's upcoming classified cloud system.

Space Brief 2 Mar 2025

Space Brief 2 Mar 2025

Today's brief highlights the successful landing of a private moon mission by Firefly Aerospace, a new simulator for the Spanish Air and Space Force, and the anticipated launch by Europe's Ariane 6. Plus, our Satellite Spotlight features the COSMOS 2484.

Space Force Awards $437M for Military Satcom; New Glenn Clears Return | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force Awards $437M for Military Satcom; New Glenn Clears Return | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force contracts Viasat and SES for $437M Protected Tactical Satcom-Global program. Blue Origin clears New Glenn for flights after Flight 3 investigation.

Space Brief 5 Dec 2024

Space Brief 5 Dec 2024

Today's brief highlights Umbra Space's contract extension with the NRO, Trump's Space Force ambitions, FibreCoat's new funding targeting defense markets, and key US defense sentiments. Explore notable military and commercial satellite activities.

New Glenn Achieves First Booster Reuse on Mission 3 | KeepTrack Space Brief

New Glenn Achieves First Booster Reuse on Mission 3 | KeepTrack Space Brief

Blue Origin's New Glenn successfully reused its first stage booster for the first time on Mission 3, launching April 19. Booster reuse accelerates operational tempo.

X Report 5 Sep 2025

X Report 5 Sep 2025

SpaceX celebrates significant milestones with its Starship preparations, approaches a landmark Falcon booster landing, and enhances the ISS orbit with Dragon technology.

The Details of Apollo 1

The Details of Apollo 1

How a catastrophic fire in 1967 fundamentally altered NASA's approach to human spaceflight and continues to influence modern spacecraft design