Intelsat-19 Solar Panel Investigation Turns to Launch Vehicle
By Jeffrey Hill | June 11, 2012
[Satellite TODAY 06-11-12] The investigation into why a solar panel failed to deploy on the Intelsat-19 satellite has turned to the rocket that launched the spacecraft into orbit on May 31.
The satellite’s manufacturer Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) and owner Intelsat confirmed June 8 that the examination is looking at whether a fairing on Sea Launch’ Zenit rocket suffered excessive vibration during the launch process.
SS/L said it is conducting several studies on the anomaly while preparing to launch the SES-5 satellite for FSS operator SES in two weeks.