Telstar 18 Launch Data Under Review

Loral Skynet reports that its Telstar 18 satellite is functioning properly and has fully deployed its solar arrays. The satellite will be raised into its final orbit during the next few days.

Sea Launch conducted the launch and is in the process of assessing data from its various telemetry sources and control centers to review the sequence of events during the flight that led to the “less than optimal” insertion to orbit, said Paula Korn, a company spokeswoman.

The satellite is expected to exceed its intended design life for 13 years on orbit, Loral officials said. Once the satellite reaches its final orbit next week, Loral Skynet will begin a series of planned tests. Telstar 18 is expected to go into service on schedule toward the end of August.