DirecTV Satellite Fleet and T15 (formerly DirecTV 15): Expanding High-Power Broadcast Coverage

Overview
The DirecTV satellite fleet consists of a series of geostationary communications satellites used to deliver satellite television services across the United States and provide internet connectivity via HughesNet (previously known as DirecWAY and DirecPC). Over time, the satellite naming convention transitioned from the “DirecTV” prefix to a simplified “T” prefix.

T15 (DirecTV 15): High-Capacity Broadcast Satellite
DirecTV-15 (AT&T T-15), formerly known as DirecTV 15, was successfully launched on May 27, 2015, aboard an Ariane 5ECA launch vehicle from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. It is the first DirecTV satellite built by Airbus (formerly EADS Astrium) and is based on the proven Eurostar-3000 satellite platform.

Technical Specifications and Coverage

• Launch Mass: 6,205 kg

• Power Output: 16 kW

• Service Life: Over 15 years in geostationary orbit

• Orbital Position: 103° West

• Coverage Area: Continental US (CONUS), Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico

• Flexible Operation Range: 99°W to 119°W orbital slots

T15 Payload Configuration:

• 30 Ku-band transponders – for high-capacity television broadcasting

• 24 Ka-band transponders – supporting advanced broadband services

• 18 Reverse-band transponders – enabling future two-way communication and frequency reuse

Purpose and Capabilities
T15 was designed to:

• Expand DirecTV’s high-definition television (HDTV) capacity

• Provide redundancy and backup services for the existing fleet

• Support the delivery of reliable broadcast and internet services to homes and businesses throughout the US

With advanced beam-forming and high-throughput capabilities, DirecTV-15 (AT&T T-15) plays a critical role in ensuring nationwide broadcast continuity, particularly for high-demand regions.