The DIRECTV 8 satellite is designed to maintain high-quality, high-power Direct-To-Home (DTH) television service to existing DIRECTV customers. Launched in May 2005, this state-of-the-art satellite was completed a full two months ahead of schedule. DIRECTV 8 is designed to provide over 8,200 watts of dc power at the end of its 12-year mission life.  The satellite was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard a Proton M/Breeze M launch vehicle provided by International Launch Services (ILS).