DirecTV Launches 12th Satellite

DirecTV added a 12th satellite to its orbiting constellation, announcing the successful launch of DirecTV-15, covering the continental U.S. and Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. DirecTV-15 and Sky Mexico’s Sky-Mexico-1 were put into orbit from the European Spaceport in French Guiana by Arianespace. The satellites are expected to begin operating in the third quarter, and DirecTV said they will reinforce its existing constellation and bulk up its HD capacity. The company said the Airbus-built DirecTV-15 satellite will operate in all frequency bands. DirecTV has part ownership of Mexican pay-TV company Sky Mexico, and the Orbital ATK-built Sky-Mexico-1 -- that company’s first owned and operated satellite -- will give that company more HD capacity and allow direct-to-home broadcast to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, it said.