The most powerful television satellite ever built in Europe is already in space

Arianespace has successfully launched the DirecTv-15 and Sky México-1 satellites aboard an Ariane 5 rocket.

At 9:16 p.m. this Wednesday, the European consortium Arianespace has successfully launched from Kurú (French Guiana) two satellites owned by DirectTV and its subsidiary Sky México. Aboard an Ariane 5 rocket, the DirectTV-15 and Sky Mexico-1 satellites, following the launch plan, have ascended to reach their orbit.

The first device to leave the ship was the DirectTV-15, manufactured by Airbus Defense and Space, which detached from the rocket 28 minutes after launch.

The DirecTV-15, equipped with 30 Ku band transponders, another 24 Ka band and 18 in Reverse Band, will provide satellite television coverage to the United States and Puerto Rico and will have a useful life of 15 years.

At 6,200 kilos, it is the most powerful television satellite ever built in Europe and the most powerful ever used in the United States.

Ten minutes later, the Sky México-1, built by the American firm Orbital ATK and weighing 3,000 kilos, left the ship.

The device, which will operate the DTH Sky México joint venture made up of Televisa and DirectTV, will offer Mexico and the Dominican Republic, Central America and the Caribbean high and ultra high definition satellite television services through 28 Ku band transponders, another 25 Ka band.