Thursday, November 21, 2024

Boeing-made satellite breaks up in space

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After confirming the satellite incident over the weekend, Intelsat has now said it believes IS-33e is a “total loss”.

The US Space Force separately said it was tracking some 20 pieces of debris from the craft in orbit.

It said officials had “observed no immediate threats” but were continuing to monitor the situation.

Intelsat said customers who relied on the satellite’s services were being transferred to other assets or satellites operated by third parties.

In a statement, the company added: “We are coordinating with the satellite manufacturer, Boeing, and government agencies to analyse data and observations.

“A failure review board has been convened to complete a comprehensive analysis of the cause of the anomaly.”

The IS-33e satellite had suffered problems previously, according to the website Space News, with issues concerning its primary thruster delaying it entering service in January 2017.

Further problems with the craft’s thrusters while tests were being conducted in orbit then reduced the satellite’s planned 15-year lifespan by three and a half years.

IS-33e was designed and manufactured by Boeing, based on the company’s 702 communications satellite family.

Boeing has been contacted for comment.

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