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Anomaly leads to retirement of Galaxy 3R satellite PANAMSAT NEWS RELEASE Posted: January 25, 2006 PanAmSat has announced that the Galaxy 3R domestic satellite, operating in an inclined orbit at 74 deg W, experienced an anomaly of its secondary spacecraft control processor (SCP). PanAmSat and the satellite manufacturer, Boeing Satellite Systems Inc., are continuing to investigate the anomaly. "Galaxy 3R had already been removed from primary service," said Joe Wright, CEO of PanAmSat. "This satellite was at the end of its contract life and operating in an inclined orbit. 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." A Boeing 601 spacecraft launched in 1995, Galaxy 3R experienced an anomaly on its secondary SCP at 3:42 p.m. GMT on January 15. The satellite has no book value to the Company but was expected to remain in inclined orbit through early 2009. Through its owned and operated fleet of 26 satellites, PanAmSat is a leading global provider of video, broadcasting and network distribution and delivery services. In total, the Company's in-orbit fleet is capable of reaching over 98 percent of the world's population through cable television systems, broadcast affiliates, direct-to-home operators, Internet service providers and telecommunications companies. In addition, PanAmSat supports the largest concentration of satellite-based business networks in the U.S., as well as specialized communications services in remote areas throughout the world. |
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The New Horizons spacecraft begins a voyage across the solar system to explore Pluto and beyond with its successful launch January 19 aboard a Lockheed Martin Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
NASA's Stardust spacecraft returns samples of cometary dust to Earth with its safe landing in Utah on January 15.
NASA Administrator Mike Griffin and his deputy Shana Dale hold a news conference at Kennedy Space Center in the final hours of the countdown to the New Horizons launch. Questions from reporters ranged from the Pluto-bound mission, the agency's budget and the space shuttle program.