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IMPORT > ANS 27.10.24 03:18l 36 Lines 1885 Bytes #120 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS301.6
Read: GUEST
Subj: Intelsat Satellite Explodes In Orbit
Path: IW8PGT<IZ3LSV<DB0ERF<DK0WUE<DK0WUE<VK5RSV<K7EK<KA1VSC<WG3K
Sent: 241027/0109Z 9556@WG3K.#SMD.MD.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24
An Intelsat communication satellite built by Boeing has exploded and broken
up in geostationary orbit. Intelsat confirmed the news in a press release
on Oct. 21, declaring the satellite a “total loss.” The U.S. Space Force
said it is tracking around 20 associated pieces but “has observed no
immediate threats” to other satellites so far (Roscosmos said it was
tracking 80 fragments). The cause of the explosion is not yet known, but
the news is another blow for Boeing following Starliners failed crew test
flight, problems with the 737 Max and delays to the 777x.
Intelsat said its working to move customers to its other satellites or
third party spacecraft. “A Failure Review Board has convened to complete a
comprehensive analysis of the cause,” the company wrote. The satellite was
uninsured, a spokesperson told SpaceNews.
EpicNG* [Artists rendering: Intelsat]*
The explosion fragments could still pose a risk to other satellites. “The
problem is that there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the orbits of these
fragments at the moment,” said a spokesperson for Spaceflux, a UK company
that tracks objects in orbit. “They can be potentially dangerous for other
satellites but we do not know that yet.”
Intelsat 33e is one of six “EpicNG” satellites built by Boeing, and uses
the latters 720MP satellite platform equipped with 16 hydrazine-powered
engines built by Aerojet Rocketdyne. The type is widely used for telephone,
internet and satellite TV/radio broadcast services.
It entered service three months late due to an issue with its primary
thruster, and another propulsion issue reduced its service life by 3.5
years. The first EpicNG satellite, Intelsat 29e, was declared a total loss
in 2019 after just three years in service, reportedly due to a meteoroid
impact or wiring flaw.
[ANS thanks Engadget for the above information]
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