[Satellite TODAY Insider 05-04-11] Intelsat’s deployment of its New Dawn satellite’s west antenna reflector has been delayed due to an unknown mechanical issue, the operator announced May 3.
    The antenna’s manufacturer Orbital Sciences is responsible for New Dawn’s orbit raising activities of Intelsat New Dawn. Orbital’s telemetry indicated to Intelsat that it has executed the procedure to release the west antenna reflector and that telemetry confirms successful release of the reflector.  However, the satellite’s temperature data indicated that the reflector was deployed, Intelsat Director of Investor Relations Diane Van Beber told Satellite TODAY Insider.
    “The situation is similar to what happened to SkyTerra last year, where their large reflector antenna on the SkyTerra 1 mobile communications satellite had problems deploying its 22-meter antenna reflector,” Van Beber said, referring to Harris Corp.’s hardware malfunction on the Boeing-built SkyTerra 1 satellite in December. “In our case, Orbital will attempt two in-orbit maneuvers to try to jolt the antenna loose – a ‘rock and roll’ maneuver and a thermal method.”
    Antenna reflectors’ functioning role as part of the communications payload involves controlling communication in the C-band frequency. Intelsat decided to delay its deployment of New Dawn’s east Ku-band antenna reflector pending resolution of the west antenna situation. Van Beber said that Intelsat and Orbital are investigating the issue in a cooperative effort to assess corrective actions, adding that New Dawn is otherwise functioning normally. Orbital Sciences could not be reached for comment in time for publication.
    The Intelsat New Dawn satellite, owned by a joint venture between Intelsat and a consortium led by Convergence Partners, aims to replace the Galaxy 11 satellite at 32.8 degrees East. The satellite is insured for its launch and in-orbit operations.