DirecTV (NASDAQ:DTV) is expanding its satellite fleet to serve the U.S. and Latin American markets with the launch of two new spacecraft intended to increase capacity to support HD and 4K/UltraHD video, and also to back up DirecTV's existing satellite fleet.
DirecTV-15 (D-15), an all-CONUS (Continental United States, including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico) beam satellite, and SKY MEXICO-1 (SKYM-1), SKY MEXICO's first owned-and-operated satellite, launched on a single ARIANE 5 launch vehicle operated by Arianespace from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Controllers made contact with both satellites confirming that all systems are functioning properly.
D-15 will be the first DirecTV satellite with the capability to operate in all five DirecTV U.S. orbital slots and in all frequency bands (Ku, Ka and Reverse Band). It is intended to expand national capacity for both HD and 4K UltraHD channels, as well as provide backup for existing CONUS transponders.
SKYM-1 will double HD capacity for SKY MEXICO and provide direct-to-home broadcast services to Mexico, Central America, Cuba and the Caribbean.
D-15 will be positioned at 103 degrees West longitude and is designed to provide service for more than 15 years. SKYM-1 will be positioned at the 79 degrees West longitude orbital slot adding to the IS-21 satellite capabilities at 58 degrees West longitude, and is designed for a life span of more than 18 years.