14 DAY TRIAL // Representatives from European rocket manufacturer and aerospace company Ariane space and television provider DIRECTV announced last week that an Ariane 5 delivery system would carry the next DIRECTV satellite to Earth's orbit.
The vehicle will help the media group extend the range of services it currently has available for Latin America. The two companies decided to launch the spacecraft from the European Space Agency's (ESA) Kourou Spaceport, in French Guiana, South America.
According to the contract, the Ariane 5 rocket will launch sometime in 2014. At this point, the 6.5-ton satellite is being assembled at a Space Systems/Loral facility. When completed, it will be delivered to Kourou, where it will be integrated with its rocket and auxiliary systems.
“We are honored that DIRECTV has entrusted yet another satellite launch to Arianespace. The new contract reinforces our partnership with DIRECTV and validates the strength of our launch service and solutions offer,” Arianespace CEO and chairman Jean-Yves Le Gall explains, quoted by SpaceRef.