SS/L Contracted to Build DirecTV 14

[Satellite TODAY 06-14-10] Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has entered into a contract to build the DirecTV 14 high-power satellite for DirectTV, SS/L announced June 11.
    The new satellite, which was started earlier this quarter under an authorization to proceed and based on SS/L 1300 satellite platform, is a 20 kilowatt spacecraft that will use Ka-band and reverse DBS to expand DirecTV’s company’s video services and HD programming to both national and local markets. DirecTV 14 will be the sixth SS/L 1300 satellite platform in the pay TV operator’s fleet.
    “We believe it is a combination of great satellites and excellent service that keeps long-standing customers such as DIRECTV coming back to us for their spacecraft. Our satellite platform is well-suited to helping companies make use of newly available spectrum such as RDBS, and our experience with 20-kilowatt-class satellites is unsurpassed,” SS/L President John Celli said in a statement.
    Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.

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