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Michael Hoffman (Blog) - November 18, 2007 7:06 PM

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12 comment(s) - last by Paratus.. on Nov 22 at 4:46 PM

DirecTV wants satellite TV on the ISS

During their rare downtime aboard the International Space Stations, astronauts will now be able to watch satellite TV courtesy of the DirecTV Group. It is not uncommon for satellite TV companies to offer sometimesincredulous promotions to try to attract new customers, so a move like this doesn't surprise me.

The DirecTV package will include high-definition TV channels, a DVR and a wicked HD 42-inch flat-screen TV that will have a Velco wrap remote to make sure astronauts don't lose the remote.

"Sure, there's the awe-inspiring view of planet Earth from more than 200 miles up, but what do you do for an encore after you've entered your 180th day in space?" asked Jon Gieselman, DirecTV senior VP of marketing.

Assuming NASA accepts the offer from DirecTV, a "top engineer" will be consulted to help install the satellite on top of a living module attached to the ISS. I am not sure if NASA or the crew aboard the ISS need a DirecTV specialist to install a satellite for them, but it is a noble gesture.

Is it possible?

"Our engineers tell us that it is technically possible," said Robert Mercer, DirecTV spokesman. "There are some obvious technical challenges, but we're ready to work with NASA if they accept our offer."

I don't really know if astronauts aboard the ISS need satellite TV, but it is truly a brilliant marketing ploy by DirecTV. Then again, even people in orbit need to watch Monday Night Football!

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Tv's in space

By Etsp on 11/19/2007 2:03:08 AM , Rating: 2

I know there's that whole myth about Nasa spending millions of dollars to research a pen that would write in space...which was very loosely based on truth... which makes me wonder, how good would a plasma TV work in 0g?

RE: Tv's in space

By Master Kenobi

(blog) on 11/19/2007 7:39:34 AM , Rating: 1

0g shouldn't affect an LCD, A plasma I'm not 100% sure about. However it's unlikely a Plasma TV would have any problems either.

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RE: Tv's in space

By BernardP on 11/19/2007 11:20:41 AM , Rating: 2

The above article says a "satellite" is to be installed on top of the ISS living module...Hmmm... The original linked article says that it is a "satellite dish" that is to be installed.

It seems to make more sense, but does it? How could such a dish keep a fix on a Direct TV satellite when both have completely different orbits? (not impossible however) And there would be no available TV signal when the Earth is between the ISS and the Direct TV satellite.

The easy way this would seem to work is if the Direct TV signal is beamed from the ground. But then, you are dealing with multiple stations around the world.

And those 42-inch TV sets are not exactly low-power items for a power-starved space station.

Could this only by a PR stunt? Naaaa...

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RE: Tv's in space

By Master Kenobi

(blog) on 11/19/2007 1:16:53 PM , Rating: 2

Indeed, this is a PR Stunt. Nasa would never go for it, sorry. The electricity is needed to keep that thing operating, no time for stuff like that. Maybe send them up a DVD player and wire it into a spare console screen, and a stack of DVD's.

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RE: Tv's in space

By Screwballl on 11/19/2007 3:50:15 PM , Rating: 2

as most of the 42" are similar due to 1 or 2 manufacturers building most of them, they all have close to the same wattage requirements which is around 300W. A TV (tube type) hits 300W at 25".
I wouldn't think that is very much of a draw for a station like that although being limited power usage it may be a bit too much... give them a low draw 19" LCD and a low draw satellite receiver /smirk/

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RE: Tv's in space

By GaryJohnson on 11/19/2007 7:44:47 PM , Rating: 3

Maybe they can spare the electricity, but I don't think they can spare the payload. I think the cost to put something in orbit is around $7000/lb.

I know this, of course, because I have just enough life insurance set aside so that in the event of my death my brain can be launched into space.

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RE: Tv's in space

By johnsonx on 11/20/2007 1:11:07 AM , Rating: 3

I didn't know you could get a $20 policy.

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RE: Tv's in space

By Treckin on 11/20/2007 12:09:37 PM , Rating: 2

Oh man, you just ruined his day!

2 points!

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RE: Tv's in space

By Paratus on 11/22/2007 4:46:17 PM , Rating: 2

Who you callin "power starved"

I've got an extra 50Kw not doing anything right now.

Sure that'll change once ESA and JAXA are onboard but even then they'd just have to turn off the TV during times the arrays were parked.

What I want to know is if any EVA setup time is required.

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