Intelsat 33e, one of its ‘epicNG’ next-generation satellites, has suffered a catastrophic loss and is understood to have broken up. Initially, Intelsat said that the satellite had “lost power” and that it believed the satellite would not be recoverable.

IS-33e was designed and manufactured by Boeing Space Systems. It was launched in August 2016 and entered service in January 2017. It is located at 60 degrees East. The satellite was not insured.

The loss is affecting clients in Europe, Africa and parts of the Asia-Pacific region and Intelsat confirmed that clients were being moved to other craft including third-party satellite operators.

It is not the first time that Intelsat 33e has suffered problems. It had a problem with its primary thruster shortly after launch and was some three months late in entering service. Also shortly after launch and during pre-service entry it emerged that a second station-keeping propulsion issue meant it lost about 3.5 years from its planned 15-year expected life in orbit.

Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell said the US Space Force was tracking 20 debris objects associated with the satellite. The break-up occurred at 04.30 Universal Time on October 19th.

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Categories: Articles, Satellite

Tags: Intelsat, satellite