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[Satellite TODAY 06-27-12] The south solar array on the Intelsat-19 satellite has deployed after nearly a month of delay following its May 31 launch on a Sea Launch Zenit rocket. The spacecraft’s manufacturer Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), however, confirmed that the unit might have sustained damage that could reduce its available power without affecting its life cycle.
Intelsat-19 was successfully transferred to geostationary orbit, where its communications payload will undergo testing that is expected to end in mid-July. SS/L said that all of the satellite’s communications antennas are now in their operational positions.
“Both C- and Ku-band capacity on the satellite will be made available to customers. It is estimated that the maneuverable life of the satellite will be approximately 15 years. Data received from the satellite indicate that the south solar array is damaged, and that the power available to the satellite will be reduced,” SS/L said in a June 26 statement.
Intelsat 19 is the planned replacement for Intelsat 8 at 166 degrees East, which serves customers in the north and southwest Pacific region. The satellite and launch are insured, and no customer services were affected.
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