Inmarsat I-4 F1 Satellite Experiences an Outage

A coverage map of the Inmarsat I-4 satellites. I-4 F1 covers Asia-Pacific. Screenshot via Inmarsat

Inmarsat is working to restore services from its I-4 F1 satellite after the satellite experienced an outage late on Sunday. This satellite provides L-band coverage in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Inmarsat confirmed in a Tuesday statement that the I-4 F1 satellite experienced an outage at 21:14 UTC (5:14 p.m. EDT) on Sunday, April 16. Inmarsat did not share the cause of the outage. 

Immediately after the incident, Inmarsat began to transfer maritime safety services to a contingency satellite, in line with International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) procedures. This was done successfully. 

The Inmarsat Classic Aero cockpit safety service was also affected. Inmarsat said recovery has started and is expected to be operational “in a matter of hours.” Then, Inmarsat plans to transfer Inmarsat-C services from the contingency satellite back to I-4 F1. Inmarsat C is a real-time distress and safety communication service.