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Canadian satellite operator Telesat’s new 14R/Estrela do Sul 2 satellite, in a worst-case scenario, may only operate at around 50 percent of its full capacity. Telesat said in a press statement issued May 25 that the satellite’s north solar array has failed to fully deploy. The south solar array has deployed successfully and is providing power to the spacecraft, which is stable and is otherwise operating as expected. A source close to the situation called the issue “an unusual problem.”
Telesat went further in the press statement and said that it expects the satellite will “at a minimum, support all of the existing services to customers presently provided by Telstar 14/Estrela do Sul, the satellite it will replace at 63 degrees West.” The new satellite has almost double the capacity of Telstar 14/Estrela do Sul, the satellite it is replacing.
The satellite’s manufacturer, Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), is analyzing data from the satellite to better understand the situation and determine what steps, if any, can be taken to attempt to rectify the north solar array deployment failure. If SS/L is unable to resolve the issue, then the satellite may in essence only reach 50 percent of its full capability.
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