Arianespace and DIRECTV have announced a new launch contract for a satellite providing services for DIRECTV Latin America. The launch will take place in 2014 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana on an Ariane 5.

DIRECTV has exercised an option in their multi-launch contract with Arianespace for the launch of an additional satellite that will provide services for DIRECTV Latin America. Arianespace has already been contracted to launch DIRECTV-14 and 15 within the same time frame.

This new contract is the ninth signed in 2011 by Arianespace for the launch of a commercial satellite. DIRECTV, one of the world's leading providers of television entertainment services, will utilize the satellite capacity to expand the delivery of high definition, 3-D television and cinema programming across Latin America.

The satellite, under construction at Space Systems/Loral for DIRECTV, will have a mass of approximately 6.3 metric tons and is scheduled for delivery in 2014. The satellite will be located at the 95 degrees West orbital location.

"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," said Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace.

Romulo Pontual, Chief Technology Officer of DIRECTV said, "DIRECTV has confidence in Arianespace and the tried and true Ariane 5 to deliver our newest satellite, for Latin America.

"We are excited to be working with Arianespace to bring additional capacity for state-of-the-art television programming to the Latin American region."

"The new satellite to be launched by Arianespace will be one of two that will support our PanAmericana businesses and provide us with the capacity to deliver superior products and services to the growing customer base in that region," said Bruce Churchill, president of DIRECTV Latin America.

"We're looking forward to another successful Arianespace launch."