The DIRECTV satellite

The DIRECTV satellite is a Boeing Space Systems 601 HP platform, and it was installed under the 9.6-meter-long payload fairing on top of the Ariane 4 launcher on 27 November 2001 for the ride into space. The satellite will be used by California-based DIRECTV to provide digital television service with more than 300 channels of additional capacity. This capacity will be employed to deliver additional local channels and strengthen the redundancy of its in-orbit fleet. Photo: ESA/CNES/Arianespace