Eutelsat 113 West A (SatMex 6) at 113° West

Position: | 113° West |
Manufacturer: | Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) |
Operator: | Eutelsat |
Launch operator: | Arianespace |
Launch vehicle: | Ariane 5ECA |
Launch date: | 05/27/2006 |
Expected lifetime: | 15+ Years |
Located at 113° West, the Eutelsat 113 West A (SatMex 6) satellite provides power and coverage in C- and Ku-bands throughout the Americas on both hemi and regional beams. The satellite also offers a powerful spot beam over the main cities in South America.
Currently distributing over 130 TV channels, 40 in HD, the Eutelsat 113 West A satellite feeds 80 cable head-ends, reaching 81% of the region’s cable market. Fully covering cable head-ends in Mexico, it is also popular with ethnic cable head-ends in the United States, and has a potential reach of nine million subscribers.
The proximity of 113° West to the popular 117° West video neighbourhood enables cable operators to receive channels from both orbital locations with simultaneous reception, maximising choice for audiences.
Eutelsat 113 West A was originally ordered with Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) by Satelites Mexicanos S.A.B. de C.V. (SatMex). The new Satmex 6 satellite would provide Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) to the Americas. SatMex was acquired be Eutelsat in 2014 and was rebranded Eutelsat Americas. In May 2014, the satellite was renamed Eutelsat 113 West A.
The satellite was launched, in a dual launch with Thaicom 5 for satellite operator Thaicom, on May 27th, 2006 on an Ariane 5 rocket operated by launch operator Arianespace.