Panamsat Corp. removed the Galaxy 3R satellite from service after the spacecraft’s secondary spacecraft control processor failed, the company announced Jan. 24. The Boeing 601 spacecraft, which was launched in 1995, suffered the failure Jan. 15.

“This satellite was at the end of its contract life and operating in an inclined orbit,” Joe Wright, CEO of Panamsat, said in a statement. “We do not expect that this occurrence will have any impact on our proposed transaction with Intelsat or will meaningfully affect the day-to-day operations of our business.”

In April 2001, Galaxy 3R was temporarily knocked out of service when its primary spacecraft control processor failed. Service was restored within two hours using the backup system.

The spacecraft is expected to remain in orbit through early 2009, and Panamsat and satellite manufacturer Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. are investigating the problem.