Arianespace announced  Friday (May 22) that it received the go-ahead for the scheduled May 27 launch of Arian 5, a dual-payload rocket that will carry the DirecTV 15 and SKY México-1 direct-to-home satellites, from its facility in  French Guiana.

Arianespace said it received the green light for Flight VA223 following a launch-readiness review, confirming “go” status of Ariane 5. That means all is set for rollout today of Ariane 5, followed by the anticipated liftoff on May 27 during a launch window that opens at 6:16 p.m. local time in  French Guiana (5:15 p.m. ET).

 The DirecTV 15 satellite (a rendering of it is above), built by Airbus Defence and Space, will provide capacity for additional digital TV services (in the Ku-, Ka- and R-bands) for DirecTV’s U.S. customers, including capacity that can be applied to the satellite TV operator’s 4K plans.

With a design life of 15 years, DirecTV 15 is slated to be the eighth satellite orbited by Arianespace for DirecTV.

DirecTV 14, launched in December 2014, added add more VOD capacity and live streaming capabilities for DirecTV, whichlaunched a limited 4K offering last November.

The SKY México-1 spacecraft will be operated for SKY, which is owned by Mexico’s Grupo Televisa S.A.B. and DirecTV.

DirecTV 15, a new satellite that will bring more 4K capabilities to DirecTV, has taken a big step toward its anticipated launch this May.

Airbus Defence and Space announced Monday that DirecTV had left the company’s cleanrooms in Toulouse, France, and is now being shipped to Kourou, French Guiana, for launch by Ariane 5 in May.

The satellite will provide capacity for additional digital TV services for DirecTV’s U.S. customers, including DirecTV's ambitious 4K plans. Based on the Eurostar E3000 platform, the new satellite will pack more than 150 radio frequency amplifiers.

DirecTV 14, launched in December 2014, will add more VOD capacity and live streaming capabilities for DirecTV, which launched a limited 4K offering last November.