Arianespace has secured a contract from DIRECTV to launch a satellite from the European Spaceport in French Guiana on an Ariane 5 to provide services in Latin America.

The satellite will be located at the 95 degrees west orbital location.

It will allow DirecTV to expand the delivery of high-definition and 3D television and cinema programming across Latin America.

The satellite, under construction by Space Systems/Loral for DIRECTV, will have a mass of approximately 6.3t and is scheduled for delivery in 2014.

DIRECTV has exercised an option in its multi-launch contract with Arianespace for the launch of an additional satellite that will provide services for DIRECTV Latin America.