DirecTV-14 (AT&T T-14): High-Power Communications Satellite

AT&T T-14, originally named DirecTV-14, is a high-capacity telecommunications satellite built to support DirecTV television services across the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The satellite was developed by Airbus Defence and Space (formerly EADS Astrium) and is based on the Eurostar-3000 LX Hybrid platform.

Commissioned in late 2016 under a confidential contract with EADS Astrium, the satellite was renamed AT&T T-14 after AT&T acquired DirecTV. It has a launch mass of 6,350 kg, provides 16 kilowatts of electrical power, and is designed for a lifespan of over 15 years in geostationary orbit.

Payload and Coverage

The satellite is equipped with high-power Ku-band and Ka-band transponders, offering robust capabilities for video broadcasting and telecommunication services. AT&T T-16 can operate from multiple orbital slots, ranging from 99° to 119° West, with its primary slot at 100.85° West.

This hybrid propulsion satellite supports flexible in-orbit maneuverability, allowing it to adapt to future operational needs.

Launch Details

AT&T T-16 was launched aboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket during Arianespace’s 104th Ariane 5 mission, which took place from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. The launch featured a dual-payload configuration, with AT&T T-14 in the upper position and ISRO’s GSAT-16 as the lower payload.

The satellite was successfully released first in the sequence, marking another milestone collaboration between Arianespace and long-standing customers AT&T and ISRO from India.

DirecTV Satellite Fleet

The DirecTV satellite fleet, now integrated under the AT&T “T” naming convention, includes a constellation of high-throughput satellites located in geostationary orbit. These satellites are critical for delivering satellite television and broadband internet services (formerly known under HughesNet, DirecWAY, and DirecPC brands).

The transition from “DirecTV” to the “T” prefix reflects AT&T’s unified satellite strategy under its broader communications portfolio.