An old satellite, Intelsat IS-22, launched in March 2012 and with a planned lifetime of 15 years, is the subject of a US government move to extend the life of the craft by some eight years. A $180 million (€156m) contract has been awarded to Intelsat, now owned by SES, to see the satellite stay on orbit until 2033 and potentially well into the 2040s.

Key to the decision is the satellite’s US Department of War’s role in providing ultra-high frequency transmissions for the military.

The US Department of War cancelled a replacement satellite scheme (the JP9102 programme) in November 2024. This latest decision is a much lower-cost solution.

On November 17th it emerged that SES had ordered a satellite life extension vehicle from Infinite Orbits. It is not known whether this order if destined to co-locate with IS-22.

The new $180 million US government contract was won as a result of a closed bidding process.

As well as the IS-22, the US military is also working with Optus C-1 for the governmental coverage. IS-22 was launched on a Russian Proton rocket.

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Categories: Articles, Satellite

Tags: Intelsat, SES, usa