[Satellite Today 09-04-08] Eutelsat‘s W5 satellite, which suffered problems in mid-June, could have its operational life reduced by nearly three years, the operator announced Sept. 3.
    Eutelsat and satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space conducted an investigation that determined that the W5 spacecraft may need to be shutdown in the fourth quarter of 2014. Previous estimates had placed the end of its stable operations in the 2018 first quarter.
W5 carries 24 transponders, but Eutelsat switched off four of the transponders after the satellite suffered generator subsystem problems in mid-June