SES Americom Confirms
AMC-14 Satellite Launch Anomaly
(17 March 2008) SES Americom, an SES
company, today confirmed that its AMC-14 satellite failed to reach its intended
orbit following its launch on board a Russian Proton Breeze-M launch vehicle on
March 15.
An anomaly during the second burn of the fourth stage
of the rocket resulted in the satellite being placed short of the planned
geostationary transfer orbit.
"While we are not in a position to comment
on the possible causes of this launch anomaly, the satellite is healthy and is
operating nominally in a stable orbit under the control of Lockheed Martin. SES
and Lockheed Martin engineers are currently exploring various options for
bringing AMC-14 into its proper geostationary orbit," said Martin Halliwell,
President of SES Engineering.
AMC-14 was built by Lockheed Martin
Commercial Space Systems, with launch services from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in
Kazakhstan provided by ILS (International Launch Services).
In all of
the various scenarios to redirect the spacecraft, onboard fuel will have to be
used to propel the satellite to its correct orbital position, thereby reducing
its service life. SES' investment in AMC-14 is insured for partial and total
loss.
The spacecraft is entirely contracted by EchoStar Corporation and
is intended to operate at the orbital position of 61.5 degrees West.
"We
are confident that the engineering teams at Lockheed Martin and SES will find a
way to place AMC-14 into the correct orbit in a manner that our customer's
requirements can be met," said Edward Horowitz, President and CEO of SES
Americom. "We cannot, at this time, speculate on the impact of the orbit
raising activities on both the in-service date and the service life of AMC-14.
We will provide additional information in due time."
About SES
Americom
As the leading supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES
Americom serves broadcasters, cable programmers, aeronautical and maritime
communications integrators, internet service providers, mobile communications
networks, government agencies, educational institutions, carriers and secure
global data networks with efficient communications and content distribution
solutions. The company, recognised as a major innovator of advanced satellite
communications services, operates a fleet of 15 spacecraft in orbital positions
predominantly providing service throughout the Americas. In addition, Americom
Government Services (AGS), a wholly-owned subsidiary, is dedicated to providing
satellite-based communications solutions to both civilian and defence agencies
of the U.S. Government.
SES Americom is an SES company. SES wholly owns
three market-leading satellite operators, SES Astra in Europe, SES Americom in
North America, and SES New Skies, which provide global coverage and
connectivity. The company also owns 90 percent of SES Sirius in Europe and
holds strategic participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico. SES
provides outstanding satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 38
satellites in 25 orbital positions around the globe.
(source: SES
Americom)
|
||||||||||||
